Remulla pushes stronger border controls, regional cooperation vs fugitives
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla, the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the Bureau of Customs led by Ariel Nepomuceno, conduct an inspection operation against an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility at Samyoung Global Enterprises in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, on February 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said the government is strengthening border security and coordination with neighboring countries to prevent wanted individuals from fleeing the Philippines through unauthorized routes.
Remulla acknowledged the challenges in securing the country’s borders, citing the Philippines’ extensive coastline that makes monitoring entry and exit points difficult.
“We have the third largest coastline in the world. So, thinking that there is a simple solution to a complicated problem makes it a simplistic affair, but it is not,” Remulla said.
“It is very complicated but we are focused and we are determined to control our borders,” he added.
He said the government is upgrading surveillance technology and enforcement capabilities, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Immigration.
“It has been a point of concern and the only way to address that is with better enforcement tools which we are procuring now together with joint operations with our neighbors whom they pass through,” he added.
Remulla’s remarks came as he discussed efforts to prevent wanted individuals from escaping abroad through unauthorized routes, which he described as an internal security concern.
Meanwhile, Remulla underscored the importance of regional cooperation in combating transnational crimes during the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Makati City.
He said cooperation among ASEAN member states has strengthened, with countries recognizing that criminal threats transcend national borders and require a coordinated response.
“The threats are real in all countries, whether advanced or not. It is not localized to poorer or richer countries. Everyone faces the same problem so everyone is collaborating in order to find better solutions to stop this.”