Over the past week, no incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia was reported to the ReCAAP ISC, between 8-14 October 2024.
Areas of concern
The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue exercising enhanced vigilance when anchoring or transiting areas of concern, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The littoral States are advised to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Re-assessment and downgrading of threat level
The efforts by the Philippine Government in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi through continuous military operations led to the dismantling of the support base and neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu archipelago. In this context, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other stakeholders and counterparts involved in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, reviewed the threat situation and recommended downgrading the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ from ‘MODERATE’ to ‘MODERATE LOW’, meaning ‘Incidents are unlikely to occur due to perpetrators’ perceived lack of capability to orchestrate an attack. Nevertheless, minimal damages are expected to the vessel and crew in case of an attack’.
Update of ReCAAP ISC advisory
- With the downgrading of the threat of ‘Abduction of Crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes seas’ by the PCG, ReCAAP ISC has updated its Advisory for ships to “exercise vigilance & adopt necessary preventive measures while transiting the area”.
- Ship masters and crew transiting the area are strongly encouraged to exercise extra vigilance and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
