Top police leaders across Southeast Asia have committed to upgrading and fully utilizing a shared digital system to combat transnational crime during the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) Conference, hosted by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Electronic ASEANAPOL Database System (E-ADS) serves as a central digital repository for information on individuals and networks involved in cross-border criminal activity across ASEAN member nations.
PNP Chief and ASEANAPOL Chairperson Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that the three-day summit concluded with an agreement to institutionalize technical cooperation by upgrading the E-ADS under a long-term master plan.
“It also reinforces mutual assistance in criminal matters, expanded police training and personnel exchange through programs,” Nartatez said.
Highlighting the event’s outcomes, Nartatez stated that Manila’s successful hosting produced concrete pledges to bolster law enforcement efforts throughout the region.
“The conference produced concrete commitments that will strengthen the PNP and our Southeast Asia counterparts’ fight against transnational crime and other emerging threats to peace and order and security,” Nartatez said.
“We secured stronger intelligence sharing, closer operational coordination, expanded training opportunities, enhanced forensic cooperation, and deeper partnerships against cybercrime, online scams, terrorism, trafficking in persons, and other cross-border crimes,” he added.
Centering on the theme “United in Vision: Securing People and Strengthening Collaboration,” the conference gathered police chiefs, 12 dialogue partners, and 11 observer organizations.
Delegates approved measures targeting cybercrime, online scams, drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking, weapons smuggling, financial crime, wildlife trafficking, and maritime offenses.
Nartatez emphasized that hosting the event reaffirmed the Philippines’ standing in regional security cooperation.
“The successful hosting of the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference shows that the Philippines is a trusted and capable partner in regional law enforcement.”
“It reflects our commitment to promoting cooperation, building consensus, and turning dialogue into concrete action,” he noted.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nartatez conducted bilateral talks with counterparts from Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Discussions focused on maritime security, counterterrorism, child protection, cybercrime, and capacity building.
The PNP officially assumed the ASEANAPOL chairmanship from the Royal Thai Police during the event, with Indonesia slated to host the next summit in 2027.
Closing his remarks, Nartatez underscored the core mission of the regional alliance:
“No country can effectively combat transnational crime alone.”
“Our collective security depends on sustained cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, operational coordination and mutual trust among our law enforcement agencies,” he stressed.