Kapanalig in Action: Fostering Unity and Cooperation in Regional Policing

On April 8, 2025, Police Lieutenant Colonel Rodel Maritana and Police Major Arvin Hosmillo of the Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office 3, and fellow alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy, visited the ASEANAPOL Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were cordially welcomed by Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, the Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat and a proud alumnus of the Academy himself.

This visit was not merely a gesture of professional camaraderie, but a significant opportunity to strengthen ties between national policing bodies and a vital regional institution. ASEANAPOL, as the regional policing body of the ASEAN member states, has continuously evolved into a platform that champions operational cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the collective response to transnational crimes that transcend national borders.

Executive Director Vinluan provided the visiting officers with an in-depth briefing on the mission and vision of ASEANAPOL. He emphasized ASEANAPOL’s critical role in promoting peace, stability, and public safety across Southeast Asia through collaborative frameworks and proactive initiatives. He also outlined how ASEANAPOL’s efforts align with and support the broader policing endeavors of the Philippine National Police — particularly in addressing the multifaceted and fast-evolving threats posed by transnational organized crime, terrorism, cybercrime, illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking, and environmental crimes.

With globalization and digital transformation fueling the complexity of crime, ASEANAPOL has become not only a regional pillar but a recognized player on the global law enforcement stage. Through its expanding network of Dialogue Partners, Observers, and strategic engagements with regional and international bodies such as INTERPOL, Europol, GCCPOL, and UNODC, ASEANAPOL plays an increasingly influential role in shaping collective law enforcement strategies, policies, and capacity-building efforts.

To further enrich the visit, the delegation was given a guided tour of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat’s “Kapanalig” Library — a newly established and symbolic repository of law enforcement knowledge, doctrine, and institutional memory. The library serves as a hub for learning and collaboration, aptly named to reflect the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood (“Kapanalig”) among law enforcement agencies across the ASEAN region.

The visit not only reaffirmed the strong bonds among PNPA alumni serving in various capacities across the region but also reinforced the shared mission of safeguarding communities through unity, trust, and professionalism. It stands as a testament to the growing recognition of ASEANAPOL’s indispensable role in the global fight against crime and its commitment to building a safer ASEAN community.