The Philipines and China have agreed to explore ways of strengthening their partnership in the fight against transnational criminal activities.
This after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, also chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on July 1.
“China expressed its appreciation for the recent actions taken by Philippine law enforcement authorities to counter illegal offshore gambling and to rescue several Chinese nationals,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a Facebook post.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, according to the PCO, has actively collaborated and kept an open line of communication with their Filipino counterparts throughout the process.
The mutual support shows how committed and determined both nations are to effectively combat transnational organized crime, the government’s lead communications arm said.
“The strengthened cooperation between China and the Philippines sends a clear message [to] criminal syndicates operating across borders that their malicious activities will not be tolerated nor allowed to undermine the security and stability of these nations,” it added.
This renewed commitment also opens the door to the exchange of expertise, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, allowing authorities on both sides to effeciently disrupt and destroy criminal networks.IMT
