Piracy rife in RP and RI waters

Piracy rife in RP and RI waters

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Waters around the Philippines and Indonesia remain the most prone to pirate attacks, accounting for more than half of the 34 piracy cases recorded around the world in this year's first quarter, the International Maritime Bureau's piracy center said yesterday.

In its January-to-March report, the Kuala Lumpur-based center also urged vessels to be extra cautious at all Indonesian ports, the area around Manila port and at Thailand's Bangkok bar, as these areas have seen a rise in pirate activities.

Of the 34 attacks, 20 occurred in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines recording the highest number at 10, followed by Indonesia's eight.

Although only 34 incidents were noted this year compared to 62 in last year's corresponding period, the center said this should not be seen as an improvement because it has yet to be notified of other unrecorded attacks.

The center voiced concern over the dramatic increase in the number of violent incidents, including the murder of five people by pirates in two separate attacks on ferries in Philippine waters.

Pirates were found to have used violence, such as assaulting crew and passengers or taking them hostage, in 18 of the 34 cases, compared with 24 of the 62 cases last year.

The center also expressed worry about vessels being caught in crossfire between rival factions of the Cambodian navy in the Gulf of Thailand, saying it knew of four such incidents although only one oil tanker lodged an official report.

Several Singapore-based shipping firms have also begun to doubt the effectiveness of joint naval patrols by Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, following the hijack of a cargo ship in Indonesian waters.

A third of the companies interviewed stated at least one of their vessels had been hijacked in the past, the center said. Most attacks are on bulk carriers, containers, oil tankers and cargo ships.