26 January 2017 –The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC)-Interpol National Central Bureau Manila recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on direct access to the Interpol Information System.

The agreement is meant to enhance the Department’s security screening process, particularly in passport and visa services, and to address the growing threat of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF), and other cross-border criminal elements, travelling to and from conflict areas to their target countries using fraudulent or stolen travel documents.

On behalf of Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns (UCSCC), Hon. Ariel Y. Abadilla, signed the MOA for DFA, while Undersecretary Allan C. Guisihan signed for PCTC-Interpol NCB Manila.  END