Makati City:Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla stated that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states are effectively adapting to counter the evolving tactics of syndicated criminal groups at the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Makati City. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of ASEAN nations in combating transnational crimes, including online scams, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla emphasized ASEAN's initiatives, such as the first ASEAN Regional Trafficking in Persons Report and the ASEAN declaration to protect children from online sexual abuse. He noted that the Philippines maintained its Tier 1 rating in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report for the 11th consecutive year, a testament to the country's adherence to eliminating human trafficking.
Remulla also mentioned that ASEAN, along with partner countries Japan, South Korea, and China, is adopting a joint statement to address trafficking in persons, terrorism, and cybercrime. He cited examples of successful operations, including the rescue of Filipinos from a scam operation in Cambodia and the interception of a shipment of suspected shabu in Laos, showcasing the effective cross-border information sharing among ASEAN states.
In addition, Remulla shed light on emerging security threats in the Southeast Asian region, specifically cybercrime. He pointed out that even countries like Singapore have seen significant cybercrime incidents, similar to trends observed in the Philippines and other ASEAN nations. While the ASEAN statement is broad and does not specifically address Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), the region's cooperation encompasses both cybercrime and transnational crimes.
During the press briefing, Remulla revealed ongoing investigations into "micro scam hubs" in Metro Manila, allegedly involving dismissed police and military officers. These operations, characterized by small groups operating from rented houses, represent a new trend in scamming activities. An October raid in Zamboanga Sibugay resulted in the arrest and rescue of 244 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, highlighting the continued efforts to combat illegal operations in the region. Remulla withheld further details pending the completion of the investigation.
Source Philippines News Agency
