By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Swedish Police Authority have signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation on law enforcement and fortify relations between the two countries.
In a statement sent late Friday, the PNP said Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Harald Fries paid a courtesy call at Camp Crame in Quezon City to present a copy of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the national police force and the Swedish Police Authority.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The PNP said the two countries discussed the mechanisms of cooperation against transnational crimes such as cybercrime, online sexual exploitation of children, trafficking in persons, and terrorism. A bilateral meeting was also conducted between the two parties.
Fries was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of the Swedish Police Authority Johan Grenfors and other Swedish delegation while the PNP was represented by Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, deputy chief for administration.
The MOU was signed by Swedish Police Commissioner Dan Eliasson before it was presented to the PNP.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa welcomed the partnership as he vowed not only to curb problems on illegal drugs but also other crimes.
"The PNP expressed hope in reinvigorating relations between the Philippines and Sweden through the signing of the MOU on law enforcement cooperation between the PNP and the Swedish Police Authority," the statement said.
According to the results of a national survey released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) Friday, common crimes rate went up in the fourth quarter of 2017.