The ASEAN ministers recently pledged to pursue stronger border management cooperation to prevent criminal groups from taking advantage of the pandemic situation by engaging illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, smuggling of goods, people and weapons, forgeries of identification, health certificates and travel documents.
THE ministers and high-level representatives of the ten-member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines, vowed to intensify collective efforts to prevent and combat transnational crime through stronger cross-pillar and cross-sectoral cooperation in the post-pandemic era.
Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, who represented the government during the meeting, said the ministers saw the need for law enforcement officials of the region to be more “vigilant, adaptable and flexible” in addressing the new and emerging transnational crime trends in the post-COVID-19 landscape.
“Let us continue to strengthen our bonds and unite our actions in addressing all forms of transnational crimes.Let us remain committed to realizing our overarching vision of a united ASEAN where its peoples can proudly proclaim that we care, we prepare, we prosper,” Año said during the recent virtual meeting of the 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC).
The 15th AMMTC meeting hosted by Brunei Darussalam adopted the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration which sought to enhance cooperation among ASEAN law enforcement units dealing with transnational crimes.
This can be done through the exchange of information, experiences and good practices on new methods and modus operandi, and in the implementation of the regional action plans and work plans.
Año said the 15th AMMTC also committed to explore modalities to promote practical cooperation among ASEAN law enforcement agencies, such as through table-top exercises, field training exercises and coordination, to further enhance their capacity and capability in responding to new and emerging challenges posed by transnational crime.
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