Philippines, China boost efforts to run after criminals

The Philippines and China on Friday exchanged instruments of ratification of a mutual assistance pact that will enable authorities to better enforce laws against criminals from both countries.

The exchange of the instruments of ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLAT) took place on the sidelines of the 18th Foreign Ministry Consultations between the Philippines and China currently being held here. The MLAT takes effect on Nov. 18 this year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement that the Philippines-China MLAT provides a legal framework for assistance in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses.

Assistance under the MLAT includes the taking of testimony of witnesses, provision of documents and items of evidence, exchange of criminal records, execution of searches and seizures, location and identification of witnesses and tracing and confiscation of proceeds of crimes as well as freezing of assets.

Given the rising number of transnational crimes, the DFA said the MLAT will allow the Philippines and China to obtain evidence, witnesses and proceeds of crimes that are beyond the country's physical and legal jurisdiction.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Irene Susan Natividad and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing exchanged the instruments of ratification in ceremonies witnessed by the Philippine and Chinese delegations.

Both countries signed the agreement on Oct. 16, 2000. China ratified the treaty in 2001 and the Philippines on May 8, 2012.