The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates have taken a major step in advancing their bilateral relationship by signing the Agreement on Security Cooperation, aimed at deepening collaboration in addressing security threats and fostering regional peace.
The deal was formalized on April 21, 2025, in Abu Dhabi during the official visit of Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla. He signed the agreement alongside UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Highness Sheikh Lt. Gen. Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The new pact is expected to enhance efforts between the two nations to combat organized crime and transnational threats such as cybercrime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. It sets out a framework for sharing intelligence and implementing joint initiatives focused on prevention, detection, and law enforcement.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, described the agreement as a landmark moment. “While over the years, the security sectors of the UAE and the Philippines have cooperated in various capacities, the signing of this agreement institutionalizes that collaboration. It provides a strategic framework that will guide our future engagements in a more structured, sustainable, and effective manner,” he said.
He added that the agreement not only reflects the shared security priorities of both countries but also the “deepening trust and mutual respect that characterize Philippine-UAE relations.”
The security cooperation deal also supports both governments’ broader commitment to good governance, adherence to international law, and regional stability. It paves the way for expanded technical cooperation, training exchanges, and strategic dialogue between law enforcement agencies in both nations.
