RP, UK ink legal cooperation treaties

The Philippines and United Kingdom signed two agreements on legal cooperation, highlighting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's visit to the European state. Signed Friday were the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and Extradition Treaty, a Malacañang statement said on Saturday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and British First Secretary of State Lord Mandelson signed the pacts with Mrs. Arroyo as witness. MLAT is a bilateral mechanism for the two countries to assist each other in the investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes related to criminal matters. It enhances the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries in combating transnational crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, and exploitation of women and children. The Extradition Treaty, meanwhile, provides the legal framework for either country to obtain custody of criminal offenders who have sought refuge in the other's territory. "With the ever increasing number of people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and the United Kingdom, the treaty will ensure that criminals do not find safe haven in either country," the Palace said. The two treaties are complementary and can further deepen the already productive relationship among relevant law enforcement, legal and judicial authorities of the two countries, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. - GMANews.TV