AFP, UNODC ink cooperation pact on 'common interests'

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 12, 2022): AFP, UNODC ink cooperation pact on 'common interests' (By Priam Nepomuceno)

PARTNERSHIP. AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro (6th from right), other military officials and representatives of the United Nations in the Philippines and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pose for a photo opportunity after signing a declaration of cooperation on common interests in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday (Dec. 12, 2022). The document covers common interests and areas of cooperation such as health, counter-illicit drugs, counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, anti-corruption, human rights and criminal justice. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) would be partnering on areas of common interest.

This came after AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, and UNODC Philippines head and senior policy advisor Oliver Georges Lemet signed a declaration of cooperation at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday.

"The declaration is a non-legally binding instrument; however, the parties are expected to act in good faith concerning each other’s role stipulated in the document with the end view of having the areas of possible cooperation materialize into a formal and binding agreement," said AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, in a statement.

The document covers common interests and areas of cooperation such as health, counter-illicit drugs, counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, anti-corruption, human rights and criminal justice.

This involves the development and institutionalization of training and education on human rights-based approaches in these areas.

Joint research projects, internships, fellowships, and other capacity-building measures will also be tapped.

"The United Nations specifies that the security sector’s role is to enhance effective and accountable security for the state and its people, without discrimination and with full respect for human rights and the rule of law. This is imperative and this is why we are signing today (Monday) this agreement," said UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzales in the statement.

Meanwhile, Bacarro praised the signing, calling the document another initiative that will enhance the AFP’s human rights and good governance practices.

"The declaration of cooperation we have just signed is a very welcome addition to the array of human rights and good governance initiatives that we currently implement as it appeals to the values of professionalism and service excellence," he added.

Bacarro said the declaration specifically covers diverse yet very important areas such as drug problems, counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, anti-corruption and criminal justice.

"It is in these areas that we endeavor to formulate relevant education, training, and research programs that will undoubtedly provide great benefits for our military institution," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190555