Interior and security ministers from Southeast Asian nations began a three-day meeting in Manila on Monday to strengthen regional cooperation against cybercrime, human trafficking, online scams and other cross-border criminal activities.
The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, running through Oct. 21, is chaired by Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, Anadolu Agency reported.
Officials are expected to consider declarations addressing online sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material, including content generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
The agenda also includes money laundering, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and border security, as regional governments seek to improve cooperation against criminal networks operating across national boundaries.
The meeting comes amid intensified efforts to dismantle online scam centers across Southeast Asia.
Cambodia reported that authorities raided 488 suspected scam locations and detained more than 20,000 people during the first half of 2026. Myanmar has also carried out operations against scam compounds along its border with Thailand.
China has taken further action against individuals linked to these criminal networks. In January, Chinese authorities executed 11 people connected to Myanmar-based scam syndicates. Last week, a Chinese court sentenced three additional gang members to death over fraud operations and other crimes.
The Manila meeting will also include consultations with China, Japan and South Korea on law enforcement cooperation, reflecting the regional and international dimensions of transnational crime.
Singapore is expected to take over the meeting’s chairmanship from the Philippines at the conclusion of the gathering.
The discussions highlight growing regional concerns over the use of digital technologies in criminal activities, including online fraud and AI-enabled exploitation, and the need for coordinated responses among governments and law enforcement agencies.
News.Az
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