Manila, Philippines | Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan welcomed the representatives of all ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor Leste for the 12th ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting Working Group on the ASEAN Extradition Treaty Meeting on 25 to 27 of February 2025 at the Peninsula Manila, Makati City. The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Office of the Chief State Counsel (Legal Staff), hosted the Meeting.
Chief State Counsel Chan emphasized the importance of an ASEAN Extradition Treaty, stating that “[T]he establishment of a comprehensive ASEAN Extradition Treaty is a crucial step in ensuring that criminals find no refuge, that impunity has no place in our region, and that justice transcends boundaries.” Despite each ASEAN Member State having its own unique legal traditions and concerns, Chief State Counsel Chan urged all representatives to keep open minds and, in the spirit of collaboration, remain committed to finding common ground. It is hoped that all ASEAN Member States engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and negotiate frameworks that will shape the future of extradition cooperation in the Southeast Asian region through the proposed treaty.
The Meeting is a continuation of the negotiations of the draft ASEAN Extradition Treaty which started when the 19th ASLOM created the Working Group in October 2020, for the purpose of drafting the treaty.
This 12th Meeting started and completed the 7th round-read-through of the draft text, with the remaining contentious issues seen as being resolved soon. While the ASEAN Member States continue to deliberate on the remaining issues, progress on the negotiations have been significant. Continued negotiations among member states have resulted in finding more common grounds for compromise and possible alternative language that are acceptable to all. These are key developments that will pave the way for the ASEAN Member States to conclude the draft ASEAN Extradition Treaty text.
Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla graced the first day of the meeting to show support to the Working Group. And as a show of hospitality, the Department hosted a welcome dinner for the representatives. Notable attendance to the dinner were Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez and Undersecretary Nicholas Felix L. Ty, both of this Department, and Undersecretary Al-Azree J. Mohammadsali of the Office of the Executive Secretary. Undersecretary Vasquez welcomed the representatives to the Philippines and, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted the importance of their attendance and strong commitment to the drafting of the ASEAN Extradition Treaty. Undersecretary Vasquez hoped that a similar commitment be extended to the creation of a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons among like-minded states.
The 12th meeting was chaired by Assistant Chief State Counsel Mildred Bernadette B. Alvor, assisted by Senior State Counsel Mary Grace R. Quintana. The Philippine delegation was headed by Senior State Counsel Grace L. Estrada, with State Counsels Ulyses A. Aguila, Dave Florenz M. Fatalla, Redmond John D. Zulueta, Maria Laureen D. Suan, Leilani R. Fajardo-Aspiras, Albert Ignatius C. Abragan, Noreliza M. Manlangit, Maria Doris B. Suralta-Garcia, Angelica Rose C. Dimalanta, Jennilyn D. Bilocura, Maria Olivia Ana R. Atillo, Ma. Theresa L. Santos, and Chaveli Joan O. Labrador-Batoon forming part of the delegation, and Ms. Lourdes G. Maliwat, Mr. Jomer Pillado, and Mr. Reynaldo P. Bacani serving as the secretariat for the meeting.
Currently, the Philippines has bilateral extradition treaties with only two ASEAN countries, Indonesia and Thailand. An extradition treaty allows the surrender by the requested country of a fugitive found in its territory, to a requesting country where the fugitive is being prosecuted or is to serve sentence. For the Philippines, the DOJ is the Central Authority on extradition and related matters. As Central Authority, the DOJ, through the Office of the Chief State Counsel (Legal Staff), is responsible for making or processing extradition requests, and representing requesting States in court.
