DILG Secretary, UAE Discuss Security Cooperation, Combatting Transnational Organized Crime and Cybercrime
Left photo: Sec. Abalos (left) and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister HH Sheikh Saif (right) meet at the latter's office at the Ministry of Interior in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Right photo: Sec. Abalos (4th from left) and Amb. Ver (2nd from right) with the DILG officials Atty. Margarita N. Gutierrez, Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communications (2nd from left) and Atty. Lord A. Villanueva, Undersecretary for Operations (2nd row, leftmost) and PNP officials PBGe n Sidney S. Hernia, Director, Anti-Cybercrime Group, (rightmost), PBGEN Romeo M Caramat, Jr, Acting Director, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (2nd row, rightmost) and PLTCol Sancho DJ Mercado, Acting Chief, Procurement Division, Logistics Support Service, being welcomed at the Abu Dhabi Police Headquarters. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
ABU DHABI 19 May 2023 — Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver accompanied DILG Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. in his meeting with His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, upon the latter's invitation to Secretary Abalos to discuss security cooperation and mutual efforts in addressing cybercrime and transnational organized crime on 10 May 2023. Secretary Abalos brought a delegation composed of DILG, PNP and MMDA officials.
Secretary Abalos and His Highness Sheikh Saif first met at the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai in February 2023 where they discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fields of police and security, and during which His Highness Sheikh Saif extended to Secretary Abalos an invitation to return to the UAE to discuss further collaboration efforts. On this occasion, their second meeting, Secretary Abalos and HH Sheikh Saif extensively discussed meaningful ways to enhance government efforts to build a safe and prosperous society.
Secretary Abalos and the Philippine delegation were given a tour of Abu Dhabi Police facilities, including the application of advanced technology, for an in-depth view on UAE's efforts to maintain public security. Secretary Abalos also exchanged best practices with the Abu Dhabi Police on DILG's efforts towards efficient and innovative local governance. Secretary Abalos also took the opportunity during the visit to grace the Annual Philippine Economic Investment Summit (PEIS) 2023 and the 9th Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE) to invite the UAE private sector to come to the Philippines and invest, highlighting efforts of the DILG, PNP and MMDA to create a safe, peaceful and thriving environment for business.
According to Ambassador Ver, "I thank His Highness Sheikh Saif, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, for the successful visit of Secretary Abalos to the UAE, which signals a strong partnership between our two countries' interior ministries and greater collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being and prosperity of our respective peoples, through cooperation in combatting transnational organized crime, cybercrime, among others."
Accompanying Secretary Abalos during his UAE visit were Atty. Margarita N. Gutierrez, Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communications (DILG); Atty. Lord A. Villanueva, Undersecretary for Operations (DILG); PBGen Sidney S. Hernia, Director, Anti-Cybercrime Group; PBGen Romeo M. Caramat, Jr, Acting Director, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); and PLTCol Sancho DJ Mercado, Acting Chief, Procurement Division, Logistics Support Service. END
Left photo: Secretary Abalos thanks the Abu Dhabi Police officials for the warm welcome at the ADPHQ and shares DILG-PNP's programs and thrusts. Right photo: Sec. Abalos (2nd from right) and Amb. Ver (4th from right) cut the ribbon at the opening of the PH Property and Investment Showcase in Dubai organized by New Perspectives Media (NPM) CEO Dr. Karen Remo (3rd from right). (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.