PH, UN ink deal to counter terrorist travel: DFA

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora / Philippine News Agency

CURBING TERRORIST TRAVEL. Permanent Representative Enrique Manalo of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations (left) and UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Undersecretary-General Vladimir Voronkov (right) sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme. The signing ceremony was held virtually on July 7, 2021 with representatives from various Philippine government agencies, UN officials, and international partners also present. (Photo courtesy of Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York)

MANILA – The Philippine government and the United Nations have signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on countering terrorist travel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday.

The MOU signifies the mutual commitment between the UN and the Philippines to enhance the latter's capabilities to detect and interdict known and suspected terrorists and criminals using passenger data.

Philippine Permanent Representative to UN Enrique Manalo signed the MOU on behalf of the Philippines, while Undersecretary-General Vladimir Voronkov signed on behalf of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) last July 7.

Manalo noted that the establishment of the strategic partnership between the Philippines and the UN through this MOU "sets the framework for closer cooperation and regular consultations among Philippine and UN authorities, placing the Philippines in a better position to contribute to the global effort to counter terrorist travel.”

Voronkov, meanwhile, described the signing as a "symbol of the solid partnership and mutual commitment" between Manila and UNOCT, adding this would “critically assist" the country to identify and address ever-evolving terrorist threats within both the air and maritime environments.

The DFA said this agreement would help the country enhance its detection capabilities against terrorists and serious criminals using travel information, information exchange, and international databases.

It is co-funded by contributions from Australia, the European Union, Japan, the Netherlands, the United States, Qatar, and India. (PNA)