Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasized the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) Treaty on Extradition in preventing fugitives from evading justice. During the 13th ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM) at the Manila Grand Hyatt in Taguig City, Marcos said the signing of the ASEAN Extradition Treaty (AET) signifies the Southeast Asian nations' commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in combating crime and ensuring accountability across borders.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted that the AET reflects the collective resolve of ASEAN nations, ensuring that individuals with criminal charges will not escape justice by crossing borders within the region. He described the signing of the AET as a defining moment in the effort to bring to justice those who have acted against the law, reinforcing that the treaty sends a clear message to the world about ASEAN's unity and strengthened legal foundation.

Marcos explained that the treaty harmonizes legal principles in international agreements, including the extradition of nationals, procedures for provisional arrest and documentation, and mechanisms for the settlement of disputes and implementation. After the opening ceremony of the ALAWMM, ASEAN ministers signed the AET, a landmark agreement that establishes a uniform legal framework for strengthening legal cooperation, upholding criminal accountability, and safeguarding peace and security across the region.

The AET is ASEAN's response to the growing need for international legal cooperation, particularly in light of increasing cross-border crime and human mobility. The extradition treaty, as a binding legal instrument, facilitates the surrender of fugitives found in ASEAN member states to the requesting country for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

In the Philippines, the Department of Justice serves as the central authority, with the Office of the Chief State Counsel responsible for making or processing extradition requests. The ALAWMM, convened every two years, is ASEAN's premier forum for dialogue and cooperation among law ministers to strengthen legal frameworks, promote legal cooperation, and uphold the rule of law as a cornerstone for peace and stability in the region.