HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bodjie” Dy III has proposed expanding the mandate of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) to include other crimes linked to the illegal drug trade, citing the growing convergence of transnational criminal networks in Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the 9th AIPACODD Meeting in Manila, Dy said drug trafficking has evolved into a broader security threat intertwined with money laundering, human trafficking, and cybercrime, requiring stronger and more coordinated regional action.
“Drug-related crimes are no longer isolated offenses. They are increasingly intertwined with a broader web of transnational organized crime that threatens regional security, undermines economic stability, and impedes human development,” he said.
Dy stressed that criminal networks continue to exploit differences in legal systems and enforcement gaps across ASEAN member states, calling for greater harmonization of laws and stronger mechanisms for cooperation.
“Cooperation alone is no longer enough. Criminal networks continue to exploit differences in legal frameworks and gaps in enforcement across our jurisdictions,” he said, adding that ASEAN must strengthen collaborative responses to close these gaps.
The Speaker said the Philippines supports amending AIPACODD’s Terms of Reference to expand its mandate, effectively transforming it into “AIPACODD Plus,” which would also cover related offenses such as money laundering, human trafficking, and cybercrime.
He said the proposal builds on earlier Philippine-led reforms that transformed AIFOCOM into AIPACODD in 2017, strengthening the body’s role in legislative dialogue and coordinated action against drug-related threats.
The Philippines currently holds the AIPA presidency and will host the 47th AIPA General Assembly in November 2026 under the theme “Parliaments Securing a Peaceful, Prosperous, and People-Centered ASEAN.”
The proposal is expected to be among the key items in upcoming ASEAN parliamentary discussions on transnational crime cooperation.