ReCAAP Issues Alert Over Armed Robberies at Batangas Anchorage

Two recent instances of violent armed robbery against ships berthed/anchored in Batangas, Philippines have prompted the ReCAAP Information Sharing Center (ICS) to alert the maritime community to dangers in the area.

The two incidents occurred within an interval of seven days, and in both cases the perpetrators demonstrated violence toward crew with a knife.

The first incident occurred on August 14 at about 10 a.m. local time, aboard the chemical/oil product tanker Pacific Sapphire berthed at Bauan, International Port Inc., Batangas. A single perpetrator armed with a long knife boarded the tanker by climbing the mooring lines located at the starboard astern of the ship, entered the cabin of the general steward, pointed a knife at him and took his personal belongings. The alarm was raised immediately, and the perpetrator escaped via the mooring lines in an unmarked blue small motor banca stationed at the astern of the ship. The Port State Control (PSC) personnel boarded the ship to verify the report and advised the master to file report with the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Batangas.

The second incident occurred on August 20 at roughly 8 p.m., 3 nautical miles southeast of the first incident

The duty roving crew aboard bulk carrier Vienna Wood anchored at Batangas Bay Anchorage Area was attacked by a perpetrator with a bolo (knife) when he was performing his duty. The duty crew tried to stop the perpetrator but accidentally grabbed the bolo, which resulted in a cut on his right palm. The perpetrator escaped empty-handed. The general alarm was raised immediately and first aid was administered to the injured crew. The incident was reported to the Port State Control (PSC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PSC Batangas and Coast Guard Station (CGS) Batangas responded to the incident but did not find any watercrafts or person within the ship's surroundings. The injured crew was evacuated and brought to a hospital for treatment. The master assessed that the perpetrator may have boarded the ship by throwing a line with hook.

The ReCAAP ISC said it is concerned about the the two incidents, and advised ship masters and crew to exercise vigilance, maintain constant look-out for suspicious boats in the vicinity and report all incidents immediately to the authorities. It is also very important for the crew not to engage in a confrontation with perpetrators. The ReCAAP ISC urged local authorities to enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to incidents reported by ships in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

(Image: ReCAAP ICS)