Cooperation vs transnational crime reached during ASEAN meeting

MANILA — Significant progress has been made at the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes (11th AMMTC) and 2nd Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism (SAMMRRVE).

This was bared by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Catalino S. Cuy during a press briefing Thursday.

The latter is the Philippines’ go-to-person in the 11th AMMTC which started Sept. 18 and ended on the 21st.

“The meeting was very productive and fruitful as we were able to adopt and endorse vital documents that will pave the way for stronger cooperation and collaboration among ASEAN member states in combating transnational crime,” he added.

In attendance were leaders and heads of delegations from Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The DILG chief said the meeting reiterated the commitment of the ASEAN member states in addressing the irregular movement of persons in the region and underscored the importance of the contribution made by the trust fund to support emergency humanitarian and relief efforts in the event of the irregular movement of persons in Southeast Asia.

Cuy said the 11th AMMTC also resulted in the adoption of terms of reference of the AMMTC to facilitate the regular cooperation and coordination in preventing and combating transnational crime in the region.

“Similarly, the meeting adopted the ASEAN plan of action in combating transnational crime which is 2016- 2025 and look forward to the full implementation of the plan of action.

The meeting also shows strong commitment to collectively address the peace security and stability of the region by adopting two landmark documents such as the Manila Declaration to counter the rise of radicalisation and violent extremism and ASEAN comprehensive plan of action on counter-terrorism to deal with current challenges,” he added.

Cuy said the meeting also endorsed the ASEAN declaration to combat and prevent cybercrime which includes measures such as acknowledgement of the importance of harmonization of laws related to cybercrime and electronic evidence.

The 11th AMMTC also encouraged member states to explore the feasibility of acceding the existing regional and international instruments in combating cybercrime.

On efforts to combat the trafficking of persons, the DILG chief said the meeting also took note of the progress made in the development of the Bohol Trafficking In Person or TIP Work Plan 2017-2020.

This aims to implement the ASEAN convention against trafficking in persons especially women and children and commended all ASEAN sectoral bodies involved in the development of this workplan.

“In this regard, the meeting adopted the workplan in principle and look forward to the full endorsement of all ASEAN sectoral bodies of the Bohol TIP workplan 2017-2020, we agree to submit the bohol TIP workplan 2017-2020 to the 31st ASEAN Summit for notation on November 2017,” Cuy pointed out.

The meeting also welcomed Myanmar’s proposal to host the 12th AMMTC in 2018.

In closing, the outcomes of the 11th AMMTC and its related meetings showed manifestation of ASEAN’s common resolve to counter and combat transnational crimes through strength and cooperation.