Over the past week, 20-26 January, one CAT 4 incident of armed robbery against ships in Asia.
As informed, on 16 January 2026 at 0600 hours, a bulk carrier anchored in Batangas, Philippines, was targeted in an incident involving unknown perpetrators. The assailants’ number and weapons used were not reported, and the treatment of the crew remains unspecified. The event has been assessed as a Category 4 incident, with unsecured items reported stolen.
Area of concern
An advises ships to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while anchoring and transiting areas of concern and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
Situation update
For a 5th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts, further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
In its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025, ships shall to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.