During the period 4-9 May 22, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ship in Asia was reported to the ReCAAP ISC. However, the Centre advises ships to continue to exercise enhanced vigilance.
Abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah
There is no incident of abduction of crew reported since January 2020 up to today, and no crew is currently being held in captivity by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
On 23 Apr 21, the Philippine Armed Forces conducted a military operation against members of the ASG during which one of the ASG leaders responsible for the abduction of crew in the area of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi had managed to escape. However, the threat of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah remains potentially high, particularly in the areas of Sulu and nearby waters off Tawi-Tawi as the ASG is still active and the leaders of the ASG who were responsible for the past incidents of abduction are at large.
The ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory issued via ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.
Recommendation
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
