By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Philippines is positioning itself at the forefront of regional legal cooperation as the Senate reviewed on Monday the proposed ASEAN Treaty on Extradition (ATE), which seeks to strengthen cross-border efforts against fugitives and transnational crime.
During the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, Department of Justice Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan said the Philippines could become the first ASEAN member state to ratify the landmark treaty signed in Manila in November 2025.
“With the Senate’s concurrence at the earliest opportunity, the Philippines will be the first ASEAN member state to ratify the treaty, a true trailblazer in the region,” Chan told senators.
At present, the Philippines has bilateral extradition treaties with only Indonesia and Thailand among ASEAN members.
Chan said the multilateral treaty would allow the Philippines to seek extradition cooperation from eight additional ASEAN jurisdictions, expanding the country’s extradition reach to 21 states and jurisdictions worldwide.
He said the agreement would help ensure that fugitives cannot evade prosecution or sentencing by escaping across borders within the region.
“Given ASEAN’s increasingly mobile population and porous borders, the ATE will meaningfully extend the reach of our justice systems across the region,” Chan said.
Tulfo, meanwhile, raised concerns about suspects who seek political asylum abroad while facing cases in the Philippines.
Chan clarified that merely applying for asylum does not automatically exempt an individual from extradition, noting that the requested state would still evaluate claims of political persecution under the treaty.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Anthony Mandap of the Department of Foreign Affairs said all ASEAN member states signed the treaty last year and are expected to undergo their respective ratification processes.
He added the Philippines’ early ratification could encourage other ASEAN states to move forward with the agreement.
Tulfo acknowledged the importance of expanding extradition arrangements as the Philippines continues to pursue fugitives overseas.
“We really need this,” he said during the hearing, citing difficulties in running after suspects in countries without extradition agreements.
The treaty will take effect once at least six ASEAN member states deposit their instruments of ratification with the ASEAN Secretariat. (PNA)
