MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) opened the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in Makati City on Tuesday, with Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
"Criminal networks are taking advantage of technology, economic integration, and cross-border connectivity. No single nation can answer that alone. It takes an ASEAN that is prepared, coordinated, and united," said Remulla, who heads the Philippine delegation as AMMTC Leader and chairs the meeting.
Citing a UNODC report, he noted that online scam operations in parts of Southeast Asia are associated with potential annual economic losses of about US$114 billion.
He added that the criminal economy spanning cybercrime, online scams, trafficking in persons for forced criminality, money laundering, illicit drug trafficking, terrorism and violent extremism, people smuggling, and arms trafficking now runs on corporate-style franchising: shared networks in fraud, money laundering, data theft, human trafficking, and exploitation.
The answer, he said, is a coordinated response that pairs effective law enforcement with prevention, victim protection, public awareness, and stronger cooperation with technology companies.
"Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines is committed to real-time intelligence-sharing, joint operations, and capacity-building," Remulla said.
Implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combatting Transnational Crime 2026–2035, he said, means putting the frontline first: highly trained investigators, specialized cybercrime units, financial investigators, and stronger coordination across borders.
"Our strength as a region lies not only in the commitments we make, but in our ability to act together," he said. The agenda, he added, must deliver for the more than 700 million people across ASEAN: families who can live without fear, workers protected from exploitation, and children who grow up free from violence and criminal influence.
Ministers will consider proposed outcome documents and country-led initiatives, which the Philippines will elevate for notation at the 49th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in November 2026.
The meeting, held under the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Chairship theme, "Navigating Our Future, Together," brings together ministers and delegations from all 11 ASEAN Member States.
Remulla also leads the consultations with Dialogue Partners China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with senior officials from the three countries and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the Political-Security Community taking part.
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