Arroyo to seek Africa help vs pirates

Global ntion enquirer 
Well may be but it needs an international will to face the sea pirates and wipe them off the seas. Unless somecountries supporting are cornered it cannot be achieved.

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MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will seek the support of the 53-nation African Union (AU) to combat international piracy, particularly in Somali waters, which has affected many Filipino sailors, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

The President’s lean delegation left for Tripoli Monday at the invitation of Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi for a special summit of the AU which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution.

The delegation is composed of Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde and Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis.

DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya told the Inquirer in an interview that based on a report of the Philippine embassy in Tripoli, all the activities lined up in Libya would be austere as they would take place during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

He said the President would immediately proceed to the summit that began on Sunday.

The AU, which is currently chaired by Libya, is the premier institution and principal organization for the promotion of an accelerated socioeconomic integration of the African continent. The summit will discuss peace and security issues on the African continent, including international anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast.

A total of 42 Filipino seamen are still in the custody of Somali pirates. Different rebel groups now run most of Somalia even though a transitional federal government was recently recognized by the United Nations.

The International Maritime Bureau, a nonprofit organization helping fight sea piracy, said the number of ships attacked this year had doubled.

According to its latest report, a total of 78 vessels were boarded by pirates worldwide, 75 vessels were fired upon, and 31 vessels were hijacked with 561 crew taken hostage, 19 injured, seven kidnapped, six killed and eight missing.

President Arroyo warned of a “surge” in pirate attacks, particularly on Filipino seafarers.

“The East African monsoon is almost over and we can expect a surge in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia,” she said in a speech shortly before boarding a Philippine Airlines flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:10 a.m. Monday.

Ms Arroyo noted that more than 200 Filipino seafarers had suffered in the hands of African pirates, even if many of them had been freed.

“We are vigorously working to protect our seafarers and this is an issue where Africa’s collective efforts to bring stability and order to the affected areas will be crucial,” she said.

“Africa is increasingly important to the Philippines,” she said. “The peace and stability of Africa directly impact on our energy security, but more importantly, on the safely and welfare of many of our overseas Filipinos, including our seafarers.”

The Libya trip is also intended to boost the Philippines’ bid for observer status in the influential Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Ms Arroyo pointed out that African nations formed the majority in both the Non-Aligned Summit and the OIC.

She said the AU Summit “presents a unique and unparalleled platform for us to engage the leaders of Africa to support the first Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development which the Philippines will host in December.

During the summit, the delegates will participate in three workshops on specific peace and security issues, an executive council meeting, and an assembly, according to the DFA.

On the sidelines of the summit, the President will engage the leaders of African states and push for stronger relations with the African continent.

The DFA said the summit would provide the President an opportunity to invite African states, which are also members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), to attend the first Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development which the Philippines will host on Dec. 1-3.

Today, the President is set to meet with the leaders of Libya led by Gadhafi. She is also expected to meet with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajakasa and Pakistan President Yousaf Raza Gillani.