THE ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has reported a total of eight incidents of armed robbery against ships at Manila Anchorage areas in the Philippines from January to August 2021, reports the Safety4sea.
Armed robberies at Manila Anchorage
Particularly, in the latest three incidents in July and August, the perpetrators were armed with gun/knife and demonstrated violence to the crew.
- In the incident on 17 July, the perpetrator pointed an improvised (hand-made) gun at a duty crew, took his radio and tied him to the railing of the ship.
- In the incident on 4 August, the perpetrator tried to stab a duty crew with a knife. The crew managed to avoid the stabbing, but was tied up by two other perpetrators with a rope on the forecastle deck.
- In the incident on 13 August, the perpetrator pointed a gun at a duty crew, ordered him to open the storage room and tied up his hands with a rope at the forward centre bollard. In the same incident, another perpetrator threatened a crew with a knife.
In all three incidents, ship stores were stolen, with significant quantity of stores stolen in the two cases of August.
Shippers asked to be vigilant
The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the continued occurrence of incidents and the increased level of violence at South Harbour Anchorage Area of Manila.
“Ship masters and crew are strongly advised to exercise vigilance, maintain constant look-out for suspicious boats and report all incidents immediately to the local authorities. It is also very important for the crew not to engage in a confrontation with the perpetrators,” the ReCAAP ISC said in a statement.
Ship masters are advised to immediately report all incidents to the local authorities.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Safety4sea
