The Philippines have appealed for assistance from China and the US over hijackings by Islamist militants on the Sibutu Passage, a crucial sea trade route, which is the fastest route between Australia and China, Japan and South Korea. Manila (AFP) - It is keen for it not to become a Somalia-style pirate haven. Abu Sayyaf gunmen from the southern Philippines have over the past year been boarding ships and kidnapping crewmen for ransom in the area, and the escalation has caused regional alarm. In an interview with Fairfax Media last week, Mr Abbott said he had spoken to his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, about the issue.
The Philippines have appealed for assistance from China and the US over hijackings by Islamist militants on the Sibutu Passage, a crucial sea trade route, which is the fastest route between Australia and China, Japan and South Korea. It is keen for it not to become a Somalia-style pirate haven. Abu Sayyaf gunmen from the southern Philippines have over the past year been boarding ships and kidnapping crewmen for ransom in the area, and the escalation has caused regional alarm. In an interview with Fairfax Media last week, Mr Abbott said he had spoken to his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, about the issue.