PHL National Security Council participates in the 7th meeting of high-ranking security officials in Russia

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 1): PHL National Security Council participates in the 7th meeting of high-ranking security officials in Russia

Deputy Director-General (DDG) Vicente M. Agdamag of the National Security Council headed the Philippine delegation to the 7th International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters held from May 23 to 25 in Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russian Federation.

The International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters is an annual event organized by the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

This year’s edition gathered together senior officials from the national security councils, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement bodies from 77 countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Topics for discussion included the following – fighting terrorism and extremism, security challenges posed by migration processes, and formation of the international information security system.

In his intervention, Agdamag noted that irregular transnational migration is “a recurring problem occasioned by war, poverty, and repression,” necessitating closer coordination among neighboring countries.

By way of an example, Agdamag highlighted how ASEAN countries came together in responding to the Rohingya migrant crisis last year. “The Philippines was privileged to be part of that collective action in keeping with its long history of aiding refugees and migrants alike,” Agdamag added.

In the wake of the migrant crisis in the Bay of Bengal, the Philippine government expressed willingness to accept migrants stranded at sea consistent with its obligation to protect asylum seekers and refugees.

On migration and transnational organized crimes, Agdamag stated that this is another issue-area where deeper regional and sub-regional cooperative arrangements are imperative. It is in this context that the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia agreed on May 5 to conduct coordinated maritime patrols “as part of a broader plan to address rising security challenges in the waters bordering our countries."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=890584