MANILA — In line with ongoing efforts to curb transnational crimes, the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors formally convened the Eleventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes (11th AMMTC) Monday.
Considered among transnational crimes are terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, arms smuggling, money laundering, sea piracy, cybercrime, economic crime, environmental crime, intellectual property theft, and smuggling of cultural property.
The event, which will last until Thursday, is being held at the Conrad Manila Hotel in Pasay City.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy is the Philippine government’s go-to-person in the 11th AMMTC.
The Philippines is the chair of the ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary.
The official said the Philippines is honored to host the four-day event as it is taking an active part in the effort to neutralize transnational crimes especially human trafficking.
“We take pride in hosting this year’s AMMTC and the ASEAN Summit. We all recognize the magnitude and complexity of combatting transnational crimes and what we will be doing for the next (few) days will be crucial in our collaborative effort against the regional concern,” the DILG chief stressed.
Participating ASEAN member states include Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei while ministers and officials of China, Japan and South Korea will participate as dialogue partners.
ASEAN ministers, senior officials and delegates will meet to strengthen regional strategies and cooperation to combat transnational crimes.
One of the highlights of the four-day event is the Second Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism (2nd SAMMRRVE) which will be convened to provide a platform for ASEAN member states to exchange experiences, views, and ideas in the best practices in handling the issues of radicalization and violent extremism. | PNA
