The Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government opened the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, with Secretary Jonvic Remulla calling for a coordinated regional response to cybercrime and online scams. Remulla, who chairs the meeting, urged governments to combine law enforcement with prevention, victim protection, public awareness and stronger cooperation with technology companies. Citing a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report, Remulla highlighted potential annual economic losses of about USD 114 billion associated with online scam operations in parts of Southeast Asia. He described criminal operations using a corporate franchising model, with shared networks supporting fraud, money laundering, data theft and human exploitation. Implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combatting Transnational Crime 2026–2035 requires trained investigators, specialized cybercrime units, financial investigators and stronger coordination across borders. The Philippines reiterated its commitment to intelligence sharing in real time, joint operations and capacity building. Ministers from all 11 ASEAN member states will consider proposed outcome documents and initiatives led by individual countries, which the Philippines will elevate for notation at the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in November 2026. Remulla is also leading consultations with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

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