PH Stresses Importance of Combating Maritime Piracy, Other Organized Sea Crime at Security Council

Philippine Mission to the United Nations Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative Kira Christianne D. Azucena underscores the importance of maritime security to Philippine at the United Nations Security Council debate on “Transnational Organized Crime at Sea as a Threat to International Peace and Security” on 05 February 2019. (New York PM)

NEW YORK 15 February 2019 — Due to its strategic location and the large number of Filipino seafarers plying international commercial routes on merchant vessels, the Philippines considers maritime security a top priority.

At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on “Transnational Organized Crime at Sea as a Threat to International Peace and Security” on 05 February 2019, Philippine Mission Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), a.i. and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Kira Christianne D. Azucena said that the Philippines has a vital interest in the security of the seas.

“My country’s strategic location in Southeast Asia and its more than 36,000 kilometers of coastline make us vulnerable to activities of international crime syndicates including piracy, drug trafficking and human trafficking. Moreover, one in every four seafarers on board an international vessel at any given time is a Filipino,” Chargé d’Affaires Azucena explained. “It is therefore vital for my country that threats to maritime security are addressed.”

CDA Azucena cited several cooperative efforts that the Philippines has at the international level to promote maritime security.

Under the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement, the Philippines joined Indonesia and Malaysia in joint air and sea patrols to reinforce security and accelerate capture of criminal elements.

The Philippines is a member of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery, a multilateral mechanism among 20 states to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. The Philippines is also active at the ASEAN Maritime Forum and other ASEAN mechanisms for maritime cooperation.

The Philippines also called on all states of the UN to adhere to and implement the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols relative to crimes committed at sea, noting that attaining maritime security is crucial to the shared prosperity of all.

The UNSC debate was organized and presided over by the Equatorial Guinea Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, in his capacity as UNSC President. The Philippines was invited to attend and speak at the debate, along with Japan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and Italy. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.