TNAG-2531-FCO40-3701-Hong-Kong-shipping-matters-1997 — Page 37

RESTRICTED

FM MANILA

TO ROUTINE FCO

ہو

TELNO 410

OF 290243Z SEPTEMBER 92

76

YOUR TELNO 312: PIRACY

1 -

RESTRICTED

HKC 175/1

ев

071516

MDLIAN 4735

pa.

77

WE REMAIN UNCONVINCED OF THE VIEW THAT, IN COMPARISON WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS, THE PHILIPPINE MEASURES AGAINST PIRACY HAVE NOT BEEN INEFFECTIVE OR LACKING IN DETERRENT EFFECT. CERTAINLY, THE PHILIPPINES HAVE MAINTAINED A BETTER RECORD REGARDING ATTACKS ON MERCHANT VESSELS WITHIN ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS, BUT WE WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG) ARE NECESSARILY EFFECTIVE AGAINST PIRACY AS THIS IMPLIES A LONG TERM CONDITION WHICH HAS YET TO BE PROVED.

2.

AS REITERATED IN OUR TELNO 393, THE PROBLEM HERE IS ONE OF SMALL TIME BANDITRY RATHER THAN ORGANISED ATTACKS. DURING A RECENT VISIT TO HQ SOUTHERN COMMAND AT ZAMBOANGA, DHM AND DEFENCE ATTACHE WERE ABLE TO MEET GENERAL YAP (COMMANDER OF PHILIPPINE ARMED FORCES,SOUTHCOM), WHO ADMITTED THAT PIRACY WAS A LONG STANDING AND MAJOR PROBLEM. HE REPORTED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF ATTACKS ARE AIMED AT FISHING CRAFT RATHER THAN MERCHANT OR PASSENGER VESSELS. SUCH ATTACKS ARE CARRIED OUT VERY SWIFTLY IN SMALL POWERFUL BOATS WHICH EASILY EVADE THE PCG. YAP HOPED TO BE GIVEN MORE FAST PATROL CRAFT IN ORDER TO TACKLE SUCH ATTACKS. IN THE MEANTIME, HE REPORTED THAT THEY WERE HAVING TO RESORT TO MEASURES SUCH AS ARMING THE FISHERMEN THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO HELP THEM WARD OFF ATTACKERS. WHILST SUCH ACTIONS MAY PROVE TO BE A SHORT TERM DETERRENT, THEY CANNOT BE SAID TO BE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO PIRACY.

MONTGOMERY

YYYY

PAGE 1 RESTRICTED