PNP, Indonesia police expand cooperation vs crime, terrorism

MANILA, Philippines –  The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Indonesian National Police (INP) have expanded regional inter-agency cooperation against transnational crime and terrorism.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said the expansion of the cooperation, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), would surely boost the anti-crime campaign of the two countries.

“This instrument of international understanding manifests the commitment of both Philippine and Indonesian police forces to enhance the level of partnership and cooperation between our two countries in fighting transnational crime and terrorism,” Bacalzo said.

The PNP had cooperated with the Indonesian police in developing a DNA databank of members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), an al-Qaeda-linked international terrorist network that originated from Indonesia.

The PNP and the Indonesian police have worked together to acquire the DNA profile of JI members known to be operating in the Southern Philippines.

He said the MOU was considered a renewal of an existing accord to expand regional inter-agency cooperation against transnational crime and terrorism.

Bacalzo and INP chief Timur Pradopo signed the MOU on Tuesday at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta.

President Aquino and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono witnessed the signing.

The ceremony was among the highlights of the state visit of Aquino to Indonesia.

“Through this joint initiative for our respective police forces we strengthen our bilateral cooperation and partnership in law enforcement of our two countries within the framework of international solidarity,” Bacalzo said.

Pradopo said the renewed agreement seeks to “revitalize and rejuvenate” the cooperation that is already existing between the two countries.

The joint initiative of the two police forces seeks to prevent and control transnational crime activity including, but not limited to: drug trafficking, terrorism, arms smuggling, human trafficking, maritime piracy, cyber crimes, commercial crimes, bank offenses, credit card fraud, fraudulent travel documents, and other forms of commercial and financial fraud.

The accord defines the areas of cooperation between the PNP and INP in preventing and combating transnational crimes and capacity building.

The PNP and INP forged a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crimes in 2005.

Both police forces have formulated standard procedures in joint police operations, joint training on cooperation, procedure in the conduct of hot pursuit operation along territorial waters, and guidelines in the handover of criminal suspects.