Philippines says Japan offers help in anti-piracy effort

Japan has offered to send patrol ships to deal with a growing piracy threat in the southern Philippine waters bordering Indonesia and Malaysia, a senior Philippine defence official said on Tuesday. A surge in piracy off parts of the southern Philippines is forcing ship-owners to divert vessels through other waters, pushing up costs and shipping times. Dozens of sailors have been taken captive by Abu Sayyaf. Japanese vice minister Ro Manabe offered the assistance at a meeting in Tokyo on Friday and expressed readiness to contribute to efforts by the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia “in addressing piracy and terrorism”, said Raymund Quilop, assistant defence minister for assessments and international affairs. The Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (JS 105) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense approaches the Alava pier of Subic Bay free-port zone in Zambales for a routine port call earlier this year (ABS-CBN News) A senior Japanese defence ministry official, however,...