MANILA: The Philippines has signed a new security agreement with the UAE to tackle transnational and organized crime, officials said on Tuesday.
Signed by Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla and UAE Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the new deal focuses on cybercrime, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
“Transnational crimes with global networks powered by new technologies and the ease of cross-border movement of persons and criminal syndicates need more international cooperation and partnerships,” Alfonso Ver, Philippine ambassador to the UAE, told Arab News on Tuesday.
“This is one concrete step to address the growing menace above … We have gone into new and heretofore unexplored areas of bilateral cooperation, moving beyond the issues of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), migration and oil.”
The Philippines and the UAE celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year.
The two countries have been working to expand security ties over the past few years, with discussions ongoing for a wide-ranging bilateral defense pact.
In 2021, the Philippines posted a defense attache in the UAE, making it the only country in the Middle East where Manila has such representation.
The two countries also signed several treaties on extradition, mutual legal assistance and transfer of prisoners in February.
Ver said the new agreement was a “milestone” that provides a “strategic framework” that will help guide Philippine-UAE “future engagements in a more structured, sustainable, and effective” manner.
It is also expected to promote the exchange of best practices and expertise.
“We discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and develop cooperation in the security and police fields,” Sheikh Saif said in a post on X, referring to his meeting with Remulla.
“This underscores our shared commitment to supporting effective international institutional cooperation to enhance the security and stability of societies.”
Cybercrime and trafficking have been growing concerns for countries like the Philippines.
More than 200 Filipinos were among several thousand people freed in late February and March from online scam centers run by syndicates operating along Myanmar’s border with Thailand, where many of them are believed to have been recruited and trafficked by criminal gangs.
Lured by well-paid job offers in Thailand, they were released in a weeks-long, highly publicized crackdown by Thai, Myanmar and Chinese forces.
