The Philippines, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice (Eurojust) have forged closer collaboration in fighting transnational crimes, especially online sexual abuse of children.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 31, the DOJ said the agreement was reached during a meeting between Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and Eurojust President Ladislav Hamran in The Hague, The Netherlands last May 24.
“This significant meeting with Eurojust paves the way for more exchanges of information and best practices on the institutional and policy level, as well as foster closer coordination among our agencies in terms of investigation and prosecution of specific transnational crimes,” Remulla said.
The DOJ noted that during the meeting, the two sides “agreed to establish cooperative working arrangements between their respective agencies.”
Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, who accompanied Remulla during the meeting, explained the visit was “a valuable opportunity to explore cooperation against cross-border crimes, especially online sexual exploitation of children.”
“Protecting children is a priority for both sides. We stand ready to work closely together,” Malaya said.
Remulla was also accompanied during the meeting by DOJ Undersecretary for International and Legal Cluster Raul Vasquez, Undersecretary for Law Enforcement Cluster Jesse Andres, Undersecretary for Immigration and Public Attorney’s Office Jose Cadiz, Jr., NBI Director Medardo De Lemos, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Hazel Decena-Valdez, NBI International Operations Division Supervising Agent Chief Filipinas Astrero, and NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division Chief Marie Catherine Nolasco.
The DOJ said that Eurojust facilitates coordination among national judicial authorities of EU-member States, as well as cooperates with third States in investigating and prosecuting transnational crimes.