Amid criticisms, DFA lists measures govt has done vs. seajacking

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to criticisms, the Philippine government has stepped up both preventive and remedial actions to address increasing piracy and hostage-taking incidents involving Filipino seafarers in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

The DFA pointed out that it has long imposed an advisory against travel to Somalia, despite a statement from Malacañang expressing interest to revive a proposed deployment ban there. [See: Palace resurrects proposed deployment ban to Somalia]

Also, it said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued directives to manning agencies of ships plying the Gulf of Aden.

Such directives include following the guidance of the International Maritime Bureau to stay clear by at least 200 nautical miles off the 3,300-kilometer coastline of Somalia; and for all commercial ships to stay within the designated coordinates of the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) being patrolled by the naval and air assets of the Combined Task Force 150.

Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr., head of the DFA’s migrant workers affairs office, said Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr., Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, and other officials have met a number of times with the manning agencies and representatives of the shipping industry.

Conejos said manning agencies were told to instruct ship owners to keep thier vessels along "safe lanes" in African waters, and to go on a convoy when passing through the narrow gap in the Gulf of Aden.

"We have also asked the Philippine Navy and the Department of National Defense to immediately dispatch a naval liaison officer to the Combined Maritime Forces in Manama, Bahrain as the Philippine contribution to this campaign," he added.

Conejos said Manila also issues regular advisories and consistently reminds ship principals to implement precautionary measures on their vessels passing through the “high risk" zone.

The Philippine government received flak from various groups for a slow response to the kidnappings of Filipino nationals in high-seas. The issue was magnified when the US successfully rescued 53-year-old freighter Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates after a four-day hostage drama in the rough Somali waters. [See: Kidnapped US captain freed; snipers kill 3 Somali pirates]

Aside from the Philippine government's initiatives, Conejos reiterated that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has recommended vessels to take proper defensive measures when a pirate attack is imminent.

Since commercial ships are prohibited from carrying arms while passing through international waters, NATO suggested warding off sea bandits by hosing down the pirates with water or evading pirates with sheer speed.

As of Friday, Somali pirates have captured 105 Filipino seafarers on board six vessels. Pirates have released on Wednesday 17 Filipino seafarers on board the MV Titan. [See: 17 Pinoy seamen freed in Somalia; 105 remain]

Also, the DFA and DOLE will continue to coordinate and meet with the concerned manning agencies and their shipping principals on the release and repatriation of Filipino seafarers.

The DFA, DOLE, and other government agencies also regularly meet with the families of the Filipino crew to extend social and other support.

“We have brought the matter of the menace of piracy to the attention of the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations, and other fora. We will welcome and will fully support future actions by the world body to put this problem to an end," Conejos said.

The UN Security Council has passed three resolutions to strengthen the hand of international forces in fighting international piracy:

• UNSC Resolution 1816 (adopted on June 2, 2008) urges states’ air and naval assets to provide assistance to ships under threat of piracy;

• UNSC Resolution 1846 (December 2, 2008), authorizes entry into the territorial waters of Somalia to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea; and

• UNSC Resolution 1851 (December 16, 2008) authorizes hot pursuit into mainland Somalia.

The Philippines supports all efforts by the international community, whether at the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly and the International Maritime Organization in London to put an end to the problem of piracy. - GMANews.TV

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