S. Korea to help Philippines fight crime

South Korea will extend its support to help upgrade the investigation capabilities of the Philippines' police force, officials at a state-run international aid agency in Seoul said Friday.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), South Korea's bilateral aid agency, said that it and the Korea National Police Agency will together spend 7.5 billion won (US$6.6 million) by next year to transfer investigation techniques in 17 fields, including forensics, evidence analysis, data management and suspect tracking, to the Philippine police

In addition, about 270 patrol cars and motorcycles, and 120 science investigation kits will be handed over, while about 150 Philippine police officers will undergo training in South Korea, KOICA officials said.

They said the bilateral police cooperation is also aimed at enhancing the safety of South Korean nationals traveling or staying in the Southeast Asian country.

The agreement on bilateral police cooperation was signed Wednesday in a ceremony in Quezon City, which was attended by South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-shin, and about 100 other South Korean and Philippine officials.

The Philippine government has been struggling to reduce crimes, with South Korean nationals there victimized by about 10 violent crimes over the recent two to three years.

According to data, 1.5 million South Koreans visit the Philippines each year, with about 90,000 Korean nationals staying there.

"The bilateral police cooperation will be helpful to the Philippine government's campaign to fight crimes and protect citizens," said Ambassador Kim in the ceremony.

"It is also expected to help better protect South Korean visitors and residents."

Source: Yonhapnews