UK P&I Club has announced that, as of May 2017, Philippines, Malaysia & Indonesia will launch joint piracy patrols in waters of the Sulu Sea, as there has been a rise of criminality in the particular sea area, during the last months.
Specifically, UK P&I informs that, since August last year, there has been an increase in the amount of kidnappings and assaults on local small craft, international pleasure craft and smaller international trading vessels operating in the area. This has been linked to the local terrorist organization, Abu Sayyaf, who run a kidnap-for-ransom network and have recently pledged their alliance to so called Islamic State. They currently hold over 31 hostages, including six Vietnamese seafarers taken from their vessel off southern Philippines last month, according to local military intelligence.
George Devereese, Loss Prevention Adviser at UK P&I Club, advises on the Tri-Nation agreement:
“To prevent the rise of “Somalia-type” piracy in the area, the three nations have agreed on intelligence sharing and patrolling of the area. We urge members to be aware of the current and developing situation in the area and prepare their vessels accordingly.”
Source & Image credit: UK P&I Club
