The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) started negotiations on the proposed Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TTSP) last week.

Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement

A Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement (TSPA) allows persons convicted of crimes in a foreign jurisdiction to serve their remaining sentence in their respective countries. This will facilitate their effective rehabilitation as they will be close to their families and friends and be with other inmates with whom they share the same language and culture.

Under the proposed TSPA, Filipino prisoners in China may be transferred to the Philippines to serve their remaining sentence in the country.

RP/PRC delegations

Justice Undersecretary Markk L. Perete led the Philippine delegation composed of other officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Offices of Asian and Pacific Affairs and of Treaties and Legal Affairs. The DOJ is the Central Authority for TSPAs.

On the other hand, Deputy Director General Zhang Xiaoming, Ministry of Justice’ International Cooperation Department, led the Chinese delegation composed of other officials from China’s Ministries of Justice, Public Security, and Foreign Affairs and its Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

Matters discussed

The negotiations focused on the substantive aspects of the Treaty’s provisions and on the exchange of information on relevant aspects of the legal aspects of the Philippines and China.

The parties likewise discussed the implementation of the RP-PRC Treaties on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The talks were held on 25 – 26 June 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The DOJ initiated negotiations with China in 2010 when it submitted the Philippine draft of the proposed treaty to China through the DFA.