On April 29, 2025, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan (PNP), accompanied by Police Lieutenant Colonel Argentina Casiño of the PNP Forensic Group, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Angelito A. Nayan, Chargé d'Affaires and Chief of Mission II of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Yangon, Myanmar. The Philippine Embassy’s team warmly received the delegation, with First consul Alan Gabriola, second Consul Peter De la Fuente, Col. Jose Navarro (PA), the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (DAFA), and MSG Reymundo Claveria, PAF, Administrative Assistant of the Office of the Philippine Defense Attaché, joining the meeting.
As a matter of protocol and patriotic duty, Filipino officials traveling abroad on official capacity are highly encouraged to visit their respective embassies. A courtesy call to the Philippine Embassy not only strengthens national representation but also reinforces the institutional bond between Filipino nationals and their diplomatic mission. It serves as a meaningful expression of solidarity, accountability, and mutual support. Such visits offer opportunities to align diplomatic objectives, provide situational briefings, and ensure the Embassy is fully apprised of official engagements and developments that involve Filipinos on foreign soil.
During the meeting, Executive Director Vinluan shared an overview of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat’s current priorities and accomplishments under his leadership. As the first Filipino to be appointed Executive Director of the Secretariat since its establishment in 1981, he highlighted how the Philippines continues to raise its flag high in the regional policing landscape through strong leadership, meaningful cooperation, and credible diplomacy. He also took the opportunity to thank the Embassy for its consistent support to Filipinos serving in multilateral law enforcement bodies such as ASEANAPOL.
In particular, Executive Director Vinluan discussed the Secretariat’s swift regional coordination efforts in response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar and parts of Thailand on March 28, 2025. On the same day, he proactively reached out to all ASEANAPOL Member Countries to place their support mechanisms on standby, especially for the deployment of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) teams, should the Myanmar Police Force request assistance. He emphasized that this immediate action underscored ASEANAPOL’s commitment to its “Good Neighbor” principle—ensuring that Member Countries can rely on each other during times of humanitarian crisis.
Executive Director Vinluan also formally requested the support of the Chargé d’Affaires in advocating for the active inclusion of ASEANAPOL and its Secretariat in all ASEAN-level discussions on combating transnational crimes, particularly within SOMTC, AMMTC, and other ASEAN-led platforms. He stressed that ASEANAPOL serves as the primary police-to-police cooperation and collaboration mechanism in the region and must be meaningfully engaged in formulating and implementing ASEAN’s collective security responses.
Concluding the meeting, Executive Director Vinluan reiterated that he serves as a humble and dedicated servant of all ASEANAPOL Member Countries, ready to lead coordination and collaboration efforts that advance the organization's mission and vision. He reaffirmed that the true measure of policing is found in its capacity to protect and serve communities—regardless of borders—and that the ASEANAPOL Secretariat remains fully committed to supporting this ideal through sustained, principled, and collective action.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"