Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) met with their Indonesian counterparts and discussed the conduct of intelligence-sharing and interoperability against transnational crimes.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said the Philippines shares a wide border with Indonesia and strengthening cooperation on regional security issues between the two countries is essential.
The scope of cooperation was discussed during the courtesy call of delegates from the Indonesian National Police (INP) to Azurin on Monday, Dec. 12, wherein the preparations for the upcoming Joint Committee Meeting for 2023 and to set plans for the joint Maritime Law Enforcement Exercises (MARLEX) in 2023 was also in the agenda.
“May this undertaking serve as a venue to strengthen our mechanisms for integration and joint civil relations operations towards realization of our aspirations for peace, security, and progress of our nations in the finest ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) tradition," Azurin said.
Aside from terrorism, other transnational crimes faced by the two countries are smuggling and human trafficking.
The courtesy visit was led by Agung Setya I.E., deputy for Operations Affairs of the INP.
Azurin said the PNP and the INP reaffirmed their respective commitment of cooperation, capacity-building and Combating Transnational Crimes through a Memorandum of Understanding signed after the meeting.
"The discussion is on mutual cooperation between the two countries on combating transnational crimes and promoting stronger and durable Philippines-Indonesia relations on law enforcement and regional security to spur domestic economic growth in both countries," said Azurin.
The high-level visit and bilateral meeting were also attended by Directors of PNP Directorate for Intelligence (DI), Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), Directorate for Operations (DO), Directorate for Plans (DPL), Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Maritime Group (MG), Intelligence Group, and Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
“I am optimistic that the meeting will keep the Philippines and Indonesian relationship strong, especially in creating effective strategies as partners in making the region a place where there is safety, security, and prosperity for all," said Azurin.