Eastmincom, regional agencies seal intel sharing deal

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 15): Eastmincom, regional agencies seal intel sharing deal

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and 15 government agencies in Davao Region have sealed an agreement to orchestrate intelligence information sharing to strengthen security in the maritime borders, ports, and airports against terrorists and other criminal groups.

The agreement for intelligence information sharing and synchronized security of the region was signed Friday at the Eastmincom headquarters, NSFA, Panacan wherein the Border Security Coordinating Council and committees were formed for faster and organized security response based on functional areas.

Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the coordinating council will help enhance surveillance and security not only in major ports, airports, maritime border but also in other landing areas and port facilities.

Guerrero, who was elected to head the council, said the coordination would be more seamless.

All efforts will also be coordinated with Indonesia through the Philippines naval forces, which hold coordinated patrol with Indonesian Navy.

The Eastmincom, which initiates the creation of the coordinating council, sees the importance of border security to national security as it plays an important role in securing the country against the threats of terrorism, transnational crimes, and to protect its interest and sovereignty.

This will also address different security issues in the region, such as illegal drugs, human trafficking, smuggling, sea piracy, and robbery.

Guerrero said collaboration between agencies, police and security forces is the most effective way to maximize use of resources, build a more comprehensive intelligence picture and respond to the needs of securing borders.

Guerrero hopes to share this collaboration initiative with the Western Mindanao command since Davao region also shares borders with Region 10. He noted that the western command is also facing threats of terrorism.

He said the initiative will also be replicated at the national level for wider scope of border security. Bureau of Customs District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Adhzar Albani welcomed the initiative because this also helps their own effort of curbing smuggling.

BoC and PDEA are also members of the newly-created coordinating council. Austria said the BoC has three mandates which are to collect revenue, facilitate trade, and protect borders.

And, he said, the BOC needs the support of other agencies especially when targeted containers are already out of its jurisdiction area.

He said the BoC and other agencies can watch out and provide feedback of intelligence information.

On the other hand, Albani said the initiative is good because this coordination makes the PDEA’s drug enforcement function faster.

Albani said it is also timely because PDEA is about to create a task force for port and airport interdiction against drug smugglers and their activities.

Guerrero said the coordinating council is expected to create beneficial conditions for social and economic development in the region, initiate measures to reduce threats and transnational crimes, and promote free and secure movement of persons, goods, services and investments across borders.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1009656