The Philippine National Police has expanded intelligence-sharing with the Norwegian Police Service to strengthen its campaign against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and pursue offenders operating across borders.
The cooperation was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on July 2 by PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and Norwegian Deputy Police Commissioner Lars Erik Alfheim.
Under the agreement, the two police organizations will broaden information-sharing to help identify offenders, rescue victims, and investigate cross-border cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
The partnership also builds on the work of the Nordic Liaison Office, which has supported joint law enforcement operations since 2020.
Following the signing, Nartatez directed the Women and Children Protection Center, the Anti-Cybercrime Group, and all Police Regional Offices to intensify monitoring and act immediately on intelligence obtained through international cooperation.
He also ordered capability-building and specialized training for cyber investigators and digital forensic personnel, using best practices from Norwegian law enforcement.
“Crime knows no borders, and our response must be equally boundless. This agreement formalizes a vital intelligence pipeline that allows us to strike at the digital infrastructure of these predators, ensuring that our children are protected before they are targeted,” Nartatez said.
“I have directed our Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Women and Children Protection Center to integrate this international intelligence into our daily tactical operations. We are no longer just reacting to crimes. We are leveraging global data to identify and dismantle these networks at their source,” he added.
The PNP said the initiative is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to intensify the country’s campaign against OSAEC.
The Norwegian Embassy in Manila said intelligence provided by Norwegian authorities has already supported several law enforcement operations in the Philippines, leading to the rescue of children from ongoing abuse and the identification of offenders.
The same intelligence also led to the arrest of perpetrators in Norway who allegedly commissioned the abuse.
Norwegian authorities said the new agreement will allow both countries to exchange information more quickly and intervene before more children become victims.