MANILA (Anadolu) - Southeast Asian interior and security ministers began a three-day meeting in Manila on Monday to discuss cybercrime, human trafficking, online scams and other cross-border crimes.
The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, running through Oct. 21, is chaired by Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
Officials will consider declarations addressing online sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated content.
Discussions will also cover money laundering, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and border security.
The meeting follows crackdowns on online scam centers across Southeast Asia.
Cambodia said it raided 488 suspected scam locations and detained more than 20,000 people during the first half of 2026.
Myanmar has also conducted operations against scam compounds along its border with Thailand.
China executed 11 people linked to Myanmar-based scam syndicates in January. Last week, a Chinese court sentenced three more gang members to death over fraud operations and other crimes.
The meeting also includes consultations with China, Japan and South Korea on law enforcement cooperation.
The Philippines is expected to hand over the meeting’s chairmanship to Singapore.