Indonesia bans its ships from Philippine waters following latest abduction

Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia agree to conduct joint patrols in common sea borders

A tug boat pulls a coal barge along the Mahakam River in Samarinda, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia
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Manila: Indonesia has prohibited its ships from sailing in Philippine waters following the abduction of seven crew members of an Indonesian tugboat and barge in the Sulu Sea on 20, officials said on Monday.

According to a report by Indonesian state news agency, Antara, the Transportation Ministry has banned all Indonesian-flagged vessels from venturing into Philippine waters after the hijacking of the tugboat Charles 001 and barge Robby 152.

The Charles 001 was towing the Robby 152 and its load of coal when a group of armed men pounced on the two vessels and took its crew hostage as the vessel was in the Sulu Sea.

The vessels initially had 13 people on board but six of these were later on released.

Indonesian Transport Director Tonny Budiono said seaport officials are under strict orders not to issue permits to all vessels bound for the Philippines without exception.

Indonesian authorities were also advised to closely monitor the waters near the Philippines and take action prevent future hijackings.

It can be recalled that this was not the first time that an Indonesian tugboat carrying coal and its crew had been held captive by “pirates” in the sea between Indonesia and the Philippines as well as Malaysia. These three countries share a common sea border.

The Philippines has repeatedly presumed that the attackers victimising the vessels transiting the area belong to the Abu Sayyaf, a group that claim religious basis for carrying out attacks but are largely regarded by the government in Manila as mere bandits out to make money from kidnap-for-ransom activities and extortion.

Last Saturday, the Abu Sayyaf released Marites Flor, a Filipina abducted last November 21 from Samal Island in Davao del Norte. She was one of four hostages who was later on taken to Sulu. The group still holds Norwegian hotel manager Kjartan Sekkingstad, but two other hostages, Canadians John Ridsdel and Hall Robert Hall were beheaded after the deadline given for their ransom lapsed.

Aside from Sekkingstad, the Abu Sayyaf are believed to be still holding a number of Malaysian sailors as well as Dutch and Japanese captives.

The restriction on ships issued by the Indonesian government also follow and agreement between defence chiefs of the Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia to conduct joint patrols in common sea borders to address the growing security challenges in the area.

In a meeting held last June 20, Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Indonesian and Defence Minister General Ryamizard Ryacudu and Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on Malaysia came to an agreement over the need to address the growing threat from kidnappings and armed robbery in the seas between the three countries.

The ministers are crafting protocols necessary for the conduct of joint sea patrols to address piracy and kidnapping.

(Source : gulfnews.com)

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