Incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships have alarmingly increased specifically in East Asian waters in the past years. Piratical attacks pose great risk not only to the victim ship and her cargo but also to the crew who, in some cases are killed, wounded or left for long periods of time at sea before being rescued.

As piracy and armed robbery against ships affect the safe navigation of ships, it is important that shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and the crew increase their vigilance in order to combat these criminal acts.

To address the increasing incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships, it is informed that IMO issued Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) Circular No. 623/Rev. 1 on œGuidance to Shipowners and Ship Operators, Shipmasters and Crews on Preventing and Suppressing Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships.  Furthermore, all concerned shipping companies are enjoined to strictly implement in their Safety Management System (SMS), as required under the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code), procedures and instructions on ship security, terrorism and piracy consistent with MSC Circular 623/Rev. 1.

Finally, concerned companies/seafarers are urged to report case(s) of piratical attacks to any of the following government agencies:

1.    Maritime Industry Authority
Telephone Numbers: (0632) 521-01-07; (0632) 523-86-51 (ext. 124); (0632) 521-95-26
Fax Numbers: (0632) 524-27-46; (0632) 521-95-26

2.   Philippine Coast Guard
Telephone Number: (0632) 527-84-81 (ext. 6221)
Fax Number: (0632) 527-38-68

3.    Philippine Navy
Telephone Numbers: (0632) 523-48-01; (0632) 524-2061 (exts. 6356; 6357)
Fax Number: (0632) 523-48-01

4.    Philippine National Police, headquarters Maritime Group (MARICOM)
Telephone Number: (0632) 723-04-01 (ext. 5461 operations)
Fax Number: (0632) 722-10-74 (operations)

5.    Department of Foreign Affairs - Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center
Telephone Numbers: (0632) 834-30-37; (0632) 834-40-00
Fax Number: (0632) 831-47-67

6.    Philippine Ports Authority
Telephone Numbers: (0632) 527-48-45; (0632) 527-83-56
Fax Number: (0632) 527-48-45

Please be guided accordingly.

(SGD.) OSCAR M. SEVILLA
Administrato