SPOT COMMENTARY 2/16 Kidnapping, Harassment and Suspicious Activities in Waters off East Sabah and Southern Philippines 1 Dec 2016 ifc_do@defence.gov.sg +65 9626 8965 (Mobile) +65 6594 5728 (Office) 1
Purpose 1. This Spot Commentary aims to provide an update to the recent situation in the waters off East Sabah and Southern Philippines, in particular, off the Sibutu Passage. Included within are relevant information and a broad assessment of the state of maritime security in that specific area which will be useful to the maritime community for shaping its security operations and risk-control measures while operating there. Summary 2. The Information Fusion Centre (IFC) has noted that there has been one kidnapping incident on 11 Nov 16; one vessel fired upon on 23 Nov 16; and six other suspicious approaches and attempted boardings from 13 Nov to 24 Nov 16, in the waters off the Sibutu Passage. A map of the incident locations can be found on page 3. Modus Operandi 3. In the months preceding Nov 16, the typical modus operandi observed of the perpetrators was that they favoured the option of taking hostages from low and slow vessels such as tugboats and fishing vessels. The IFC notes that the modus operandi has differed somewhat from the previous incidents prior to Nov 16, in that attempts are now being made on larger and faster vessels with higher freeboards. While there have been no reported successful attempts, it is indicative that the perpetrators are potentially widening their selection of potential targets. In addition, considering the interval and proximity of the reported incidents in some cases, it is assessed the perpetrators are likely from the same group based on the similarity of their reported modus operandi. 4. The Modus Operandi (Nov 16) observed includes: a. Targeted vessels i. Bulk carriers ii. Tankers b. Perpetrators tend to i. comprise five to ten armed individuals ii. iii. iv. dressed in black with face-masks carrying high-powered automatic rifles operating in a single speedboat v. operate during daylight hours 2
Locations of incidents 5. The following map depicts the location of incidents reported in Nov 16 Figure 1: Diagram of location of incidents Update 1 of Actions Taken by Littoral States 6. Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA). Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have signed the TCA document for trilateral maritime cooperation and have started coordinated joint sea patrols to secure regional waters. 7. Philippines. The Government of the Philippines have set up the Western Command (WESTCOM) and Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) as a counterpart/equivalent to ESSCOM. WESTCOM covers part of the Sulu Sea (Southeast off Palawan Island) and WESTMINCOM covers the Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas. WESTCOM and WESTMINCOM, as operational commands, synchronize all operations conducted by the Navy, Air Force and Army units under their jurisdiction. Significantly, with the recent incidents of piracy and kidnap for ransom off Sibutu Passage, the Littoral Monitoring Stations in Melville and Mangsee, Palawan (WESTCOM) and 1 As provided by Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines ILOs in the IFC 3
Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and Pangutaran, Jolo (WESTMINCOM) in collaboration with the Joint Task Group Tawi-Tawi (under WESTMINCOM) played the vital role of relaying of significant information to pre-empt and respond to all maritime incidents in the area. 8. Malaysia. The Malaysian Government has designated the entire eastern portion of Sabah (extending from the town of Kudat in northern Sabah to Tawau district near the border of Indonesia) as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, and established the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to coordinate security forces' activity. ESSCOM is charged with the mission to detect and prevent illegal aliens, terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering Sabah, Malaysia. The Malaysian government also enhanced efforts to patrol its maritime border with the Philippines. Curfew hours between 6pm to 6am are put in place by ESSCOM and involve the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran. The curfew has recently been extended to 13 Dec 16. There are also armed Malaysian security forces stationed on Malaysian islands with resorts. 9. Indonesia. With the release of the Joint Declaration by Foreign Ministers and Chiefs of Defence forces of Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines on Immediate Measures to Address Security Issues in the Maritime Areas of Common Concern among Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, issued in Yogyakarta on 5 May 16, the Indonesian Navy is currently conducting rigorous patrols persistently in the border areas of the Celebes Sea. 4
IFC Recommendations 10. In view of these recent developments, the IFC recommends the following measures to be considered while transiting in the affected area off the Sibutu Passage as follows: a. Maintaining good communications via VHF Channels 08 and 16 with littoral law enforcement agencies and the IFC. A map and contact details of the relevant local authorities is attached as annex A. b. Activate ship s Automatic Identification System (AIS). c. Increase vigilance in watch keeping and deploy additional lookouts. d. Use CCTV cameras for coverage of vulnerable areas (if available). e. Keep ship s whistle and fog horn ready for immediate use. f. Secure or lift external ladders to prevent their use and to restrict external access to the bridge. g. Deploy Self-Protection Measures (SPM) eg. Rig the water spray hoses and foam monitors in a fixed position. Evasive manoeuvres have also been proven to deter perpetrators in the reported incidents in this specific area. h. Firmly secure all doors and hatches providing access to the accommodation and machinery spaces. 5
Annex A to IFC Spot Commentary 2/16 MALAYSIA Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) Phone: +60 89863181/ +60 89863016 Operations Room (24h) Fax: +60 89863182 Email: bilikgerakan_esscom@jpm.gov.my HQ COMNAV 2 Royal Malaysian Navy Phone: +60 88482008 / +60 88482114 Kota Kinabalu Operations Room (24h) Whatsapp Line: +60 19-358 6974 / +60 11-1950 5233 Fax: +60 88482170 Email: ops_mawila2@navy.mil.my / mwl2ops@yahoo.com MMEA Sabah Region HQ Phone: +60 88524603 Operations Room (24h) Fax: +60 88270105 Email: pomarhq@mmea.gov.my PHILIPPINES Joint Task Group Tawi-Tawi Phone: +63 9177742293 Email: jointtaskgrouptt@gmail.com / onf2.nfwm@gmail.com Maritime Situational Awareness Western Mindanao, Zamboanga Phone: +63 9177263267 / +63 9473619197 West, Palawan Phone: +63 9178414055 / +63 9209485940 Littoral Monitoring Stations Pangutaran, Jolo Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Melville and Mangsee, Palawan VHF: International Marine Band CH16 VHF: International Marine Band CH16 VHF: International Marine Band CH16 INDONESIA Indonesia Main Naval Base Tarakan, Phone: +6282254809433 / +6282196520801 North Kalimantan 6