July 14, 2023

The counter-terrorism and violent extremism initiatives of the Philippine government have gained significant progress as the country showcased its latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) placing 18th out of 163 countries during the recently concluded 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) and Its Related Meetings in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

During the said event, senior officials from the ASEAN member states exchanged insightful views on trends and challenges in transnational crime; their respective mechanisms; and areas of cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism, cybercrime, illicit drug trafficking, illicit wildlife trafficking, and trafficking in persons.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said this is the best GTI ranking achieved by the Philippines so far which signifies that the country’s current trajectory in combating terrorism, including the long-standing local insurgency, is going towards the right direction.

“The Philippine government remains committed to bolstering our local peace initiatives and ensuring good governance for lasting peace and comprehensive security as envisioned in the 8-point agenda of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” Abalos said.

In his country report, DILG Undersecretary and SOMTC Leader- Philippines Oscar Valenzuela highlighted the country’s significant accomplishment of having retained its Tier 1 ranking for eight consecutive years in the US State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, a rare feat which demonstrates the Philippine Government’s steadfast dedication to combating human trafficking.

The Philippines also presented the development of the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Work Plan Against Trafficking-in-Persons 2023-2028 (Bohol TIP Work Plan 2.0) in the same event.

“As one ASEAN community, let us continue to strengthen our bonds and unite our actions in addressing all forms of transnational crimes. Let us remain committed to realizing our overarching aspiration for ASEAN as an Epicentrum of Growth,” Valenzuela said.

Present during the event were the ASEAN SOMTC Leaders from the ten ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, SOMTC Dialogue Partner countries, ASEAN delegates, and other international organizations. It marks a historical milestone as Timor Leste attended the SOMTC for the first time as an Observer.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-PH-showcases-18th-ranking-in-Global-Terrorism-Index-at-the-23rd-ASEAN-Senior-Officials-Meeting-on-Transnational-Crime-in-Indonesia/NC-2023-1118