Marine Terrorism Outlook

By Gary Li, of Exclusive Analysis, looks at the difference between piracy and robbery

The Philippines

Passenger ferries had been a favoured target for the militant Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) prior to 2005, though increased security at ferry terminals has reduced terrorism risks. Since the IED attack on the SuperFerry in 2004, in which 116 people died, there has not been a major militant attack on a vessel or port in the Philippines. The ASG no longer possess the capability to target ports due to increased military operations and no longer have the intent to target ports as the ASG is more concerned with extortion and kidnapping rather than port targets.