PCG mulls anti-piracy training for Somali enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - Hearing about the sea piracy problems in Somali, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said yesterday he is contemplating offering to provide training assistance to the African country’s maritime enforcers.

A high-level delegation led by Somali Deputy Prime Minister Abdurahman Aden Ibrahim Ibbi is expected to visit the PCG headquarters in South Harbor, Manila on Monday.

During the visit, Tamayo said they would start off with a presentation about the PCG and its capabilities and discuss the situation of the coast guards in both countries.

They would also share information on their experiences. “We would also like to know why Somalia has not been effective in combating sea piracy,” he said.

The PCG chief also hopes there would be an opportunity for them to offer training to Somalia’s maritime enforcers.

“There might be exploratory talks to find out if we could have a cooperation, for instance in training. If they are interested and if they would accept then we go to the second phase and make plans for the actual training,” he said, 

Tamayo earlier said that unlike some other countries, there have been few recorded cases of sea piracy and robbery on board ships in the Philippines. Compared to last year, the PCG said there was a 60 percent decline in the number of cases of sea piracy compared last year.

Sea pirates roaming off the Somali coast have long been preying on passing foreign vessels. They would abduct the ship’s officers and crew and then demand ransom for their release.

Some of those who have held hostage by pirates are Filipino seafarers on board international ships.

The visit of the Somali officials was in response to the invitation earlier made by President Arroyo when she attended the African Union Special Summit in Tripoli last August.     – Evelyn Macairan