On February 19-22, 2018, SPO4 Marcelo C Sagala Jr, National Liaison Officer INTERPOL NCB Manila, attended the said operation in INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation, Singapore. Representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia also attended the said operation. Mr. Alan Grimmer, Coordinator of the INTERPOL Project Watchmaker, Chemical Explosives Terrorism Prevention Unit CBRNE and Vulnerable Targets Sub-Directorate and Ms. Marguerite Carpenter, Project Manager of the INTERPOL Project Watchmaker, Chemical and Explosives Terrorism Prevention Unit of the INTERPOL General Secretariat, respectively, briefed on the background and purpose of the operationalization of the INTERPOL Project Watchmaker of the four (4) members of the INTERPOL Project Watchmaker Southeast Asia Working Group, namely: Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines. The said operation aims to detect the movement of those personalities (bombers and cohorts) listed in the project watchmaker database, including the shipment of explosives and explosives precursors with the use of available INTERPOL search systems (Fixed Interpol Network Database/Mobile Interpol Network Database), Facial Recognition System, Fingerprint Identification System and Chemical Detection Kits. In addition to that, the said operation monitored the results of the three-day operation including the results in the Philippines which was done at Zamboanga Seaport, Zamboanga City.

On January 24, 2018, PSUPT Caezar Cabuhat, Director for Support Service, PCTC; PSUPT Efren Fernandez II, Officer-in-charge, Directorate for Operations PCTC; and SPO1 Erwin Navarro, NCB Manila Case/Liaison PNCO attended the said activity in IGCI, Singapore. It was highlighted in the said activity that the passenger and passport screening and system upgrading done by the Philippines for the year 2017 is remarkable that is why it obtained the rank of TOP user of INTERPOL databases.

From December 04-15, 2017, PSSUPT ALFREDO T TOROCTOCON (RET), Chief, PCTC-EMFO, attended the activity at Semarang, Indonesia. The activities/ lectures during the activity were the following:

a. INTERPOL Project Scorpius, Capacity Building and Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by Mr. ANTONIO SALGADO DELGADO; INTERPOL Police Operational Support: Secure Communication System and Database by Ms. CATALINA JAIMES;

b. INTERPOL Tools for International Cooperation in Criminal Matter (INTERPOL Products and Mutual Legal Assistance) by Ms. ELISABETH POTUIJT; Notices and Diffusions: Ensuring a Reliable Basis for International Cooperation (Legal Framework, Control Mechanisms and Effective Remedies for Individuals) by Ms. ELISABETH POTUIJT; Case Studies by Ms. ELISABETH POTUIJT;  INTERPOL Police Analytical Support: Introduction for Analysis by Mr. WILLIAM LIPPERT; Intelligence Cycle by Mr. WILLIAM LIPPERT; Link Analysis by Mr. WILLIAM LIPPERT; Commodity Flow Analysis by Mr. WILLIAM LIPPERT; Trend Analysis by Mr. WILLIAM LIPPERT; Command and Coordination Centre by Ms. CATALINA JAIMES; INTERPOL Major Events Support, Teams (IMEST), Incident Response, Teams (IRTS) and Disaster Victim Identification (DUI) / Capacity Building and Data Cross-Checks, Mobile INTERPOL Networks Data Base (MIND) and Fixed INTERPOL Network Database (FIND) and Standard Operational Procedures by Ms CATALINA JAIMES and Mr. ANTONIO SALGADO DELGADO; Terrorist and related Incident Investigation: Canada’s Case Study by Mr. BILL LAIDLAW; INTERPOL Batch Searches (I-Batch) by Ms. CATALINA JAIMES; Presentation from all country delegations about terrorist and transnational crime Investigation on the following Order: Bangladesh; India; Indonesia; Malaysia; Maldives; Nepal; Pakistan; Philippines; Sri Lanka; and Timor Leste.; Searching for Signs of Extremism on the Web by Mr. GARTH DAVIES; Webinar: Countering Violent Extremism by Mr. GARTH DAVIES; Examination and Course Evaluation by Ms. CATALINA JAIMES; and Instructor Development Course by Ms. NORIA BOUDALI.

On March 27-28, 2017, PCTC along with PNP-CLG attended and participated the 2 day INTERPOL 2nd Project Watchmaker Fingerprint at Hoi An, Vietnam. The meeting goes with the agenda:

• INTERPOL Tools and Services
• Background of Project Watchmaker
• Objective of the South-East Asia Working Group

On February 27 – March 01, 2017, attended by OIC, DO and Atty. Tacorda (BI), together with representative from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Qatar, ASEANAPOL, World Customs Organization and INTERPOL General Secretariat, attended the meeting at Novotel in Siam, Bangkok, Thailand.

The conference brought together senior law enforcement officers to unite regional efforts in providing a more effective global response to combat terrorism and organized crime, was successfully concluded in Kathmandu Nepal between 18 and 20 January 2017. The delegates discussed areas where increased cooperation and shared best practices can help identify and interdict suspected terrorists ahead of any planned attack. Among the issues which were addressed by the 117 participants from 26 countries are cybercrime, human trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of children. At the end of the conference, five recommendations were adopted:

1. INTERPOL Strategy and Business Plan for Asian Region 2017-2020;
2. INTERPOL’s Integrated Operational Support for Vulnerable communities in Asian region;
3. INTERPOL’s Support to Counter terrorism;
4. INTERPOL’s Global Cybercrime Strategy and Action streams: Priorities and Plans for the Asian Region; and

INTERPOL’s Activities regarding Transcontinental Wildlife Crimes.

On January 10-12, 2017, Atty. Leonardo Oliver F Limbo of Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, attended the said activity in Interpol, Singapore, which aims to develop opportunities through a single point of coordination for international transnational investigations that will be targeting high profile criminals related to trafficking illicit trade, operating smuggling routes between Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East. Such investigations would lead to the confiscation of criminal proceeds and to the arrest and conviction of criminals

The INTERPOL Fugitive Investigative Support Sub-Directorate (OSA-FIS) announced the launch of “OPERATION INFRA ASP” (Asia and South Pacific Underworld Round-up and Arrest)-1st Operational Meeting on fugitives wanted for serious organized crime and financial crime in Asia and South Pacific (ASP) region which was held in Hangzhou, China on 13-15 December 2016.

The operation aimed to disrupt criminal networks responsible for serious crimes such as organized crime and financial crimes and more particularly to support countries to locate and arrest fugitives at international level as well as from other countries who have left their national jurisdiction and believed to be residing in one or more ASP Countries, through the global exchange of information.

On November 28-December 02, 2016, PCTC attended the trainings that was held at INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI), Singapore. The purpose of this activity is to provide an opportunity for law enforcement officers to be trained extensively on the use of INTERPOL’s policing capabilitites in forensics. The Philippines was represented by SPO1 Pablo L. Dawagan III (NCB Manila) and four personnel from Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Group: PSUPT ARIEL L AYUSIP, fingerprint expert, PCINSP JASPER P MAGANA, DNA expert, PSINSP HOMEL F SORRA, Forensic Photography expert and SPO1 Julian C Fernandez, firearms examiner expert. Selected participants upon completion of this training should be able to use INTERPOL’s forensic databases and be in a position to train other officers in their units on INTERPOL’s standards and rules of the processing of forensic data.

On November 28-December 02, 2016, PCTC attended the event at the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation. The activity aimed to develop an exercise plan and identify terrorism scenarios within the maritime domain, which will be used during the actual tabletop exercise in Brunei on February 2017. The role of NCB is to assist in the facilitation of the tabletop exercise and to introduce INTERPOL’s various tools and services.

On November 15-17, 2016 –PCTC, along with the representative from BI and other law enforcement agencies from Philippines, attended the workshop at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Regional Communities Outreach Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Project PACIFIC Working Group Meeting in Malaysia focused on: People smuggling facilitators and their Modus Operandi in the ASEAN Region used by FTFs; Financial support to Asian FTFs and to the Syrian/Iraqi Conflict zone; and High-Value Terrorist (HVT) operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Working Group meeting aimed to collect additional information on the following: Details on how terrorist groups work with people smuggling syndicates to facilitate travel within and outside the region; How terrorist and other radical groups in Southeast Asia raise funds to support the travel of FTFs to Syria and other conflict zones; and Information about transnational terrorist entering Southeast Asia: their travel facilitators and logistics support groups to enter and remain inside the region.

On November 7-10, 2016, PCTC along with BFP, NCWC, NWCS, BOQ, BI, PNP, and BOC attended the course that was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. INTERPOL’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Sub-Directorate (CBRNE), in cooperation with the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus from Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines participated in this Course. The background of this course focuses on the illegal movement of chemical and explosives materials by criminals and terrorist groups, in combination with the transit of redicalized individuals between conflict zones within and outside of the Southeast Asian Region poses and ongoing threat to INTERPOL’s member countries. By targeting the trafficking of dual use chemicals and explosive materials as well as enhancing the investigation skills and intelligence piture of foreign fighters in Southeast Asia, the law enforcement community can play a pivotal role in the prevention and early detection of terrorist attacks.

On November 07-10, 2016, PCTC along with the representatives from PPC, PNP-DPL, OMB, PPA and OSETC attended the General Assembly at Bali NUSA DUA National Convention Center (BNDCC), Indonesia. The Assembly aimed to bring out future initiatives as well as to solicit ideas among member law enforcement agency to create a sustainable framework in ensuring security for generations to come.

On October 25- November 02, 2016, PCTC participated in the activity that was held at Bangkok, Thailand. The activity was attended by ASEAN Member States and aimed to build the participants competencies to perform some functions such as to implement border operations in his/her country based on INTERPOL Integrated Border Management Task force (IBTMF) methodology; and facilitate a training on INTERPOL Policing Capabilities.

The Debriefing Meeting OPSON V – Launch OPSON VI took place in Madrid, Spain on 20 – 21 October 2016 which was attended by SPO1 ERWIN D NAVARRO, Case Liaison Officer, Directorate for Operations, PCTC. Since 2011, INTERPOL and Europol have coordinated a joint operation targeting counterfeit and/ or substandard food and beverages, namely Operation OPSON. Food fraud represents a lucrative business for criminals while placing the safety of the consumers at risk. First launched in 2011 with the participation of 10 countries, Operation OPSON achieved remarkable results with the seizure of products ranging from everyday items like coffee and olive oil, to luxury goods such as caviar and champagne.

PEach year, an increasing number of countries participated in Operation OPSON. The fifth edition of Operation OPSON carried out between November 2015 to February 2016 led to the seizure of more than 10,000 tons of illicit food and beverage products which was participated by 57 countries from Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Middle-East. Food fraud is a global phenomenon which needs to be addressed globally.

On October 3-13, 2016, PCTC attended the training course which was held at INTERPOL Global Complex in Singapore. The two-week training session includes one-day Roundtable Session in Women in Policing. The course is to ensure the users of the INTERPOL Information System observe the INTERPOL Rules on the Processing of Data particularly to the quality and compliance of the data they enter in the system and the use of data consulted. It is being developed within the framework of the INTERPOL Capacity Building Programme on improving Counter-Terrorism and International Collaboration in ASEAN Member States, which is jointly funded by INTERPOL and the Government of Canada. The course was attended by representatives from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.