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4. (U) ReCAAP ALERT - 21 Nov 2016: The ReCAAP ISC is deeply concerned about the situation of abduction
of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region. Since March 2016, there
have been 11 incidents with nine actual incidents and two attempted incidents occurred in the area. Most of the
incidents are claimed by the terrorist group of the Philippines Abu Sayyaf Group. 44 crew were abducted and 11
crew among them are still in captive. Since October 2016, the perpetrators have begun to target ships of larger
tonnage (DONG BANG GIANT 2, ROYAL 16, SOUTHERN FALCON and KUMIAI SHAGANG). The latest
attempted incidents of SOUTHERN FALCON and KUMIAI SHAGANG show the vigilance of the crew and effective
activation of anti-piracy measures had successfully prevented boarding by the perpetrators. The ReCAAP ISC
reiterates its advisory to all ships to re-route from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are
strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area and report immediately to the following centers:
(U) A. Operation Centre in the Philippine Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao for monitoring and
immediate responses in any eventualities. (Sat phones: +63 929686 4129/+63 916626 0689, VHF:
Channel 16 with call-sign "ENVY", Email: hcgdswm@yahoo.com)
(U) B. Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) when transiting nearer to eastern Sabah. (Tel: +60
89863181/016, Fax: +60 89863182, VHF: Channel 16 with call-sign ESSCOM, Email:
bilikgerakanesscom@jpm.gov.my)
(U) For additional information see: http://www.recaap.org/mwginternal/gj4f982jd95g4/progress?id=CxTHpGB3il0OE-IUlD_h7qbueby54Ui94BNu9494Rbg,&dl
5. (U) IMB ADVISORY - 11 Nov 2016: All ships transiting Celebes Sea / Sulu Sea / off Zamboanga and
Moro Gulf / off Mindanao Island. On 10 November 2016 at 2031 UTC in position 06:40.45N - 122:29.45E, 10 nm
north-northeast of Basilan Island, Philippines. A merchant vessel was attacked and boarded by pirates. Six crew
members were kidnapped and one crew injured. This is the second merchant vessel to be attacked and crew
kidnapped in this area. Vessels are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watch and exercise extreme caution and
keep clear of the position given in this report and maintain maximum CPA with any vessel acting suspiciously. All
attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported. IMB Piracy Reporting Centre 24 hours anti-piracy helpline
+603 2031 0014, fax: +603 2078 5769, Email: imbkl@icc-ccs.org <mailto:imbkl@icc-ccs.org> // piracy@icc-ccs.org
3. (U) Summary
A. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 9 January, gunmen attacked a Filipino fishing boat with 15 crew on board which was
operating off Laud Siromon Island near the Zamboanga peninsula.
B. (U) INDONESIA: On 8 January, five robbers boarded a bulk carrier anchored in Muara Berau Anchorage,
Samarinda.
C. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 7 January, robbers in two unlit boats boarded a product tanker anchored in Batangas
Anchorage.
D. (U) TAIWAN: On 6 January, a Taiwanese fishing boat carrying Vietnamese migrants was intercepted off the
coast of Yilan.
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C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for January and February 2017. For further information,
please e-mail planavy@navy.mil.cn, or call Tel: 00870 773 120 044; or 441 221 061. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for January and February 2017. To register, email
dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or
fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA)
F.
1. (U) NIGERIA: On 15 December, eight robbers in a skiff approached and attempted to board an anchored tanker
using a long ladder, near position 04:21N - 008:26E, Qua Iboe Anchorage. Upon noticing the robbers, the duty
officer raised the alarm and mustered the crew. The Master requested immediate assistance. Upon seeing the
approaching patrol boat, the robbers aborted their boarding attempt and moved away. (IMB)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 12 December, three robbers in a small speed boat attempted to board an anchored product
tanker using ropes, near position 06:18N - 003:21E, Lagos Anchorage. The crew raised the alarm and mustered
in the accommodation area. The armed embarked security team fired warning shots resulting in the robbers moving
away. Local authorities were informed. (IMB)
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4. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 3 January, six persons in two speed boats, armed with automatic rifles, chased and fired
upon the general cargo ship OCEAN KINGDOM near position 06:36N - 122:41E, 21.6 nm east of Basilan
Island. Master raised the alarm and increased speed. Ships distress message was relayed by Zamboanga radio
station to the local authorities who dispatched Philippine Coast Guard patrol boats to assist the vessel. A brief gun
battle ensued between the pirates and the Coast Guard vessels. The cargo vessel sustained multiple gunshots on
the port and starboard sides. All crew safe. (IMB; www.fleetmon.com)
5. (U) CAMBODIA: On 22 December, Cambodian customs officials seized 1.3 tons of African elephant tusks in
addition to dozens of cheetah skulls, animal bones, and pangolin scales. The animal parts were found in
containers on a ship at the Kandal port. The vessel was en route from Mozambique to China. (Mysarawak.org)
6. (U) BANGLADESH: On 20 December, ten robbers boarded a passenger vessel and robbed the passengers of
jewelry and other valuables in the Katakhal River near Elongjuri Union. During the attack, one passenger was
injured by gunfire and another is missing and believed to have fallen into the river and drowned.
(www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com)
7. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 20 December, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped four fishermen from the fishing
boat RAMONA 2 in the Celebes Sea, in the area where other Abu Sayyaf-related kidnappings have occurred.
(www.abcnews.go.com)
8. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 15 December, Philippines Customs authorities arrested the petroleum tankers ALPINE
MAGNOLIA and MALOLOS in the port of Bataan on suspicion of fuel smuggling. The ships were carrying a
combined total of 45,000 tons of fuel and were conducting an unlawful fuel transfer. (www.thestandard.com.ph)
9. (U) MALAYSIA: On 13 December, the Sarawak Customs Department seized 1,106 master cases of cigarettes
and 5,800 cartons of beer during an operation at the Senari Port. The State Customs director said the commodities
were found in three containers in the Customs and Examination area at the port. An initial investigation showed that
all the three containers arrived from Singapore and were imported by a company that does not exist. The manifest
says that the containers were supposed to be carrying jewelry, clothing, bags, pencils and shoes. (www.the
borneopost.com)
J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:
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1. (U) TAIWAN: On 6 January, a Taiwanese fishing boat carrying Vietnamese migrants was intercepted off the
coast of Yilan and 46 people were arrested, according to a Coast Guard Administration spokesman. Forty of the
people arrested were Vietnamese nationals, 25 men and 15 women, who were packed into a small space only
1.2m high. The other six people were the captain and crew of the WUN SHUN MAN No. 66, a fishing vessel
registered in Kaohsiung. The boat was intercepted 9.2 nautical miles off the coast of Yilan after the administration
received a tip-off about possible illegal immigrants onboard the vessel. They were each charged between
US$4,000 and US$6,500 to board the boat. (www.taipeitimes.com)
2. (U) CHINA: On 28 December, Chinese officials seized over 3.4 tons of illegally trafficked Pangolin scales from a
port in Shanghai, according to Chinese state media. All species of the mammal are facing extinction and
commercial trade of them is banned. (NPR)
K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
(U) Attempted Boarding Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.
(U) Blocking Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.
(U) Boarding Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.
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(U) Hijacking Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.
(U) Kidnapping Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.
(U) Robbery Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.
(U) Suspicious Approach All other unexplained activity in close proximity of an unknown vessel.
(U) Sourcing
(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.
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(U) The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted each week on the ONI Intel Portal and can be found at:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence-Community/Piracy
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