In 1997 the PCG in Manila initiated the conduct of inter-agency meetings on bay piracy and port security. During its first meeting held on 8 August 1997, conferees came up with several measures namely the continued vigilance at the port as manifested by visibility of enforcement authorities; port State control circular, drafting of a memorandum of understanding among the participating agencies addressing the piracy problem at the South Harbour.
The regional infrastructure for dealing with piracy cases rests on existing agreements with neighbouring countries, on the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), on the International Maritime Bureau based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Federation of Asean Shipowners' Association (FASA). In August 1998, the Philippines and Malaysia agreed to co-operate in fighting piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and other crimes in the Sulu Sea which borders the two countries. Similar co-operation near Borneo in the South China Sea could be carried out. Security officials agreed to upgrade communication facilities and procedures and to exchange information between the Philippine Southern Command Headquarters in Zamboanga City and the Maritime Enforcement Co-ordinating Centre in Lumut, Malaysia. Since its formation in 1993, the co-ordinating group has been conducting regular border patrols in the Sulu Sea. The Philippines and Malaysia conducted joint naval exercises. Two navy vessels from each country took part in the patrol and communication exercises. The two countries have a defence co-operation agreement allowing military exercises and port visits.
Indonesia and the Philippines are also conducting joint sea surveillance in the Celebes Sea through the auspices of their border crossing and border patrol agreement. To ensure that all airspace and waters between the territories of both states are not utilized by anyone as routes for illegal activities which include piracy. The Asian economic crisis threatens to worsen piracy around Indonesia where unemployment and inflation are soaring along with social unrest.
A solid regional infrastructure is the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). When piracy transgresses national boundaries and results to disputes, ASEAN will confront the dispute by assuming a neutral "honest broker" stance and pursuing a solution that would satisfy parties involved.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) acts as a 24-hour information center for acts of piracy on merchant ships. There are piracy reporting stations in the worst hit areas of Southeast Asia. Messages from ships under attack or reporting suspicious craft movements are received and sent via Inmarsat to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and to other vessels in the area for their speedy assistance. The Federation of ASEAN Shipowners' Association (FASA) also serves as a forum for regional co-operation.
Linking anti-piracy measures with existing law enforcement measures is no longer an option for it is the only way to save already dissipating resources. Linking measures would also need the linking of military/police and law enforcement agencies in a spirit of solidarity for mutual benefit and for ensuring national security.
On the regional front, co-operation and linkages have been initiated to combat all forms of lawlessness including exchanges of information and records in criminal activities, investigations, apprehensions, extradition and handling of criminals. Bilateral agreements have paved the way for closer co-operation.
