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ASEANAPOL Virtually Meets the Italian Police Attaché

18 December 2024

calendar_today 18 December 2024
On December 16, 2024, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, led by Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, convened a virtual meeting with Brigadier General Giorgio Butini, the newly appointed Italian Police Attaché based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Secretariat’s delegation included Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Superintendent of Police Siva Pergahsum Shanmugam, Deputy Superintendent of Police Suresh Subramaniam, Assistant Superintendent of Police Engku Nurul Aini Engku Malik, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Nithia Perumal, all of whom were stationed at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Brigadier General Butini was accompanied by Ms. Selina from the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok, Thailand. Brigadier General Butini succeeded Dr. Nicola Gallo, who served as the Italian Police Attaché until May 2024.
During the meeting, Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Director for Plans and Programs, delivered a comprehe nsive overview of past Capacity-Building Training (CBT) initiatives. He emphasized the direct benefits these programs have provided to ASEAN police personnel, underscoring the Secretariat’s commitment to capacity-building and skills development.
As an Observer of ASEANAPOL since 2022, Italy has played a pivotal role in strengthening the partnership, particularly through the Security Department of the Italian Interior Ministry (PSD IIM). Italy’s contributions have significantly bolstered ASEANAPOL’s efforts in combating transnational crime. Recognizing Italy’s valuable support, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat proposed the continuation of an annual CBT for ASEANAPOL Member Countries (AMCs). This initiative aims to build on the positive momentum established in 2022 and further enhance the competencies of ASEAN police personnel.
To maximize the impact of future capacity-building programs, the Secretariat suggested incorporating knowledge-sharing sessions, tabletop exercises, and country-specific case studies. These activities are designed to promote inter-agency cooperation, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and strengthen the operational networks among ASEAN Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
The ASEANAPOL Secretariat also highlighted the growing threat posed by cybercrime and transnational fraud, which continues to evolve alongside advancements in digital technology. This category of crime encompasses identity theft, financial scams, ransomware attacks, and emerging schemes such as job seeker exploitation. Vulnerable groups, particularly children, women, and the elderly, are disproportionately affected by these crimes.
Given the urgency of these threats, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration with partners like Italy. Such partnerships are critical to bolstering the capacity of law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable populations. To this end, the Secretariat’s proposal for continued collaboration on CBT aims to address the growing risks associated with cybercrime and transnational fraud. The proposal seeks to strengthen the protective framework for communities across the ASEAN region and beyond.
The meeting concluded with a productive discussion between ASEANAPOL and Italy, reinforcing their shared commitment to addressing emerging transnational crime challenges and enhancing capacity-building efforts for ASEAN law enforcement personnel.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"





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