‘Close loopholes in maritime security plans’

Stricter implementation of the policy on International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) is needed in the government’s war against illegal drugs and terrorism as 90 percent of the country’s trade passes through its ports, National Maritime Safety and Security Agency (NAMSSA) Inc. said.

NAMSSA Director-General Capt. Jesser Cordova made the statement following the abduction of the captain and the chief engineer of the passenger carrier Super Shuttle Roro 9 on March 23 in General Santos City by alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits.