PHOTO FROM Philippine National Police Facebook account
MANILA, Philippines—Russia has sought improved cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in combatting human trafficking and other transnational crimes following the rescue of three Russian women from a suspected prostitution den in Pasay City.
Col. Gen. Vladimir Kolokoltsev, internal affairs officer of the Russian police, on Wednesday attended talks with PNP Director General Alan Purisima to discuss ways to improve information-sharing between their two countries.
The meeting between Purisima and Kolokoltsev happened at the sidelines of the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Association of National Police Chiefs (Aseanapol) conference held at the Sofitel Plaza Manila in Pasay City.
Along with Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, Russia was invited as delegate-observer in the annual conference of the 10-member Aseanapol.
Purisima said Kolokoltsev vowed to extend assistance to Aseanopol member-nations and strengthen cooperation in battling cross-border crimes such as cybercrime, drug trafficking, terrorism, child pornography and other Internet-related crime.
He said the PNP was working on a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide a framework for cooperation “on the basis of reciprocity, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs” between the Philippines and Russia.
“The Russian police delegation expressed concern over results of recent police operations in the Philippines that involved the rescue of Russian women,” Purisima said.
He said the Russian women, who were rescued along with Ukranian women during a raid on a night club in Pasay last week, were “apparent victims of trafficking and exploitation who ended up working in karaoke and adult entertainment bars in red lights districts in the Philippines.”
The chief said Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs had “expressed its desire” to train law enforcement personnel from the Philippines on peacekeeping and other courses “in the light of continuing threats posed by terrorist organizations and international criminal syndicates related in Trafficking-In-Persons (TIP).”
“Russia has been one of the entry points of TIP victims in the Philippines and other Asian countries. The creation of MOU will promote awareness on the arising peace and order issues and concerns in both countries,” Purisima said.
Kolokoltsev invited Purisima to visit Russia in October this year to attend the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ exhibition of its latest police gear and equipment.
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