Philippine Navy now leads international force in counter-piracy

The Philippine Navy now leads an international force that includes the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Italy, Jordan, Turkey, Spain, and more.
Aug 23, 2023
Philippine Navy leads international force on counter-piracy
PHOTO: Combined Maritime Forces

For the first time, the Philippine Navy is leading CTF 151, the world's largest counter-piracy force, whose members include the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, Singapore, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Brazil, and more.

Philippine Navy Captain Mateo Carido Leads CTF 151

Leading the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) is Philippine Navy Capt. Mateo Carido, who replaced Republic of Korea Navy Rear Admiral Ko Seung-bum as Commander of the CTF 151 on August 21, 2023.

“This is the first time the Philippine Navy will be leading CTF 151,” said Carido at the U.S. Naval Base in Bahrain where the CTF is headquartered.

“My staff will be made up of members of many of the CMF-affiliated nations. Our presence here demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining maritime security and recognizing the importance of coordination and collaboration,” Carido added.

Philippine Navy Capt. Mateo Carido speaks at his induction ceremony at the headquarters of the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain

Philippine Navy Capt. Mateo Carido

Carido is a 27-year veteran of the Republic of Philippine Navy and previously served as the Armed Forces of the Philippines senior national representative to the Combined Maritime Forces or CMF.

During Ko’s tenure, CTF 151 frequently conducted joint operations with the European Union Naval Forces or EUNF, focusing on countering piracy in the region. CMF and EUNF task forces regularly collaborate to enhance interoperability through combined patrols and joint training.

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“We have focused on expanding participation in international efforts, which has yielded tangible results,” said Ko.

With Carido's long years of experience in Philippine maritime security, there is high hope that he will be an effective leader of CTF 151. The Philippines has endured hundreds of years of security issues at sea, long before issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea became an international flashpoint.

What is the CTF 151?

CTF 151 is the world's largest counter-piracy force composed of 38 nations. CTF 151 promotes security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

CTF 151 was set up in 2009 in response to the heightened piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia. The critically acclaimed movie Captain Phillips (2023) starring Tom Hanks was based on the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking off the coast of Somalia.

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CTF 151 is one of the five combined task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces or CMF:

  • CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy)
  • CTF 150 (Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf)
  • CTF 152 (Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf)
  • CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security)
  • CTF 154 (Maritime Security Training)

The CTF 151 flagship the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), seen here center, flanked by Danish support ship HDMS Absalon (L 16) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 71)

The Philippine Navy now leads the Combined Maritime Forces' counter-piracy task force

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Backed by the United Nations Security Council, the CTF 151’s mission is to directly suppress piracy outside the territorial waters of coastal states.

The Philippines has a great stake at counter-piracy

The Philippine Navy has a huge responsibility in its commitment to suppressing piracy at sea. Nearly 30 percent of the world's seafarers are Filipinos, who are working in thousands of commercial vessels around the world.

The Philippines has been the world's leading supplier of seamen since 1987, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. In 2022, there were 489,000 Filipino sailors working on ships all over the world, which is why major incidents at sea nearly always involve Filipinos.

In 2009, Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee senior adviser of Komatsu Ltd. Toshitaka Hagiwara declared that 70 percent of Japanese maritime operations were manned by Filipinos.

Teresa Magbanua, the Philippines Coast Guard's brand-new flagship vessel made by Japan

BRP Teresa Magbanua

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In 2008, pirates hijacked a Philippine chemical tanker with 23 crew near Somalia. It was the 83rd pirate attack on the coast of Somalia that year.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines is one of the nations leading the fight against piracy, particularly in the Sulu and Celebes Seas—which mark the borders between Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2017, there was a marked decline in piracy and armed robbery in the two seas, coming down from 200 attacks a year to just 99. According to Safety4Sea, it was the result of counter-piracy efforts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with Malaysia largely blocking off pirates' entrance in the Malacca Strait.

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PHOTO: Combined Maritime Forces
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