The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to pursue a strengthened partnership with neighboring countries on cybercrime and other transnational crimes that include drug trafficking.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said he had an initial discussion on the issues with his counterparts when he joined President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. in the state visits in Indonesia and Singapore where he met Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Chief of Indonesian National Police; and Commissioner of Police, Hoong Wee Teck of the Singapore Police Force.
"With minimal diplomatic formalities, and in the spirit of ASEANAPOL (Association of Southeast Asian Nations National Police) solidarity, we cordially compared notes on some pressing regional issues, and how our respective national police agencies are responding to the situation," sad Azurin in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, Sept. 12.
He said also discussed were perennial issues on other transnational crime activities such as commercial fraud, trafficking in persons, counterfeiting, IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) violations and terrorism.
Azurin said issues on Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic responses were also a topic.
"We expressed mutual desire to further discuss these issues among other national police agencies in forthcoming conferences of the ASEANAPOL," said Azurin.