PNP lauds successful hosting of 44th Aseanapol conference
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the country’s hosting of the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) Conference as a success, achieving a stronger regional cooperation against transnational crime and concrete commitments all aimed at boosting law enforcement across Southeast Asia.
The regional police chief conference concluded with Southeast Asian police forces solidifying cross-border anti-crime operational agreements and endorsing Timor-Leste as the organization’s 11th member nation.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who served as this year’s ASEANAPOL chairperson, directed all police operational units to immediately execute the conference’s adopted resolutions specifically on real-time intelligence sharing, cybercrime investigations, and joint operations against transnational online scam syndicates.
“The conference produced concrete commitments that will strengthen the PNP and our Southeast Asian counterparts’ fight against transnational crime and other emerging threats to peace, order, and security,” Nartatez said in a statement.
A major outcome of the three-day regional summit was the unanimous endorsement of Timor-Leste as ASEANAPOL’s 11th member country, which now awaits formal adoption through a Joint Communiqué.
Nartatez noted that expanding the alliance will plug critical operational gaps in Southeast Asia’s security landscape.
“Timor-Leste’s admission will strengthen our regional security architecture by expanding intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and information exchange across Southeast Asia,” Nartatez said.
“With another trusted partner in ASEANAPOL, we can better address cross-border crimes including human trafficking, contraband smuggling, and cyber-enabled offenses through a unified response.”
The conference likewise approved comprehensive measures to intensify intelligence networks against drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal firearms smuggling, money laundering, wildlife trafficking and maritime crime.
Delegates endorsed the continued digital modernization of the Electronic ASEANAPOL Database System, alongside expanded forensic science cooperation, joint tactical training, and the activation of the ASEAN Police Combat Operational Task Force 2026-2028.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nartatez held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with police delegations from Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom and the International Association of Chiefs of Police to discuss maritime domain awareness, counterterrorism, and child protection protocols.
Nartatez stressed that the PNP’s execution of the event complies with directives from President Marcos and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to cement the country’s standing as a reliable security partner in the region.
“Our goal is to leave a legacy of stronger regional cooperation built on trust, practical collaboration, and shared responsibility,” Nartatez added. “More than successfully hosting the conference, we want the agreements reached here to translate into concrete actions that enhance public safety across ASEAN.”
The Philippines officially assumed the ASEANAPOL chairmanship from the Royal Thai Police during the gathering. Indonesia is slated to host the 45th ASEANAPOL Conference next year.
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