DOJ of Philippines welcomes senate nod on ASEAN extradition treaty　

Building on the unified goal to strengthen regional cooperation against transnational crime, the Department of Justice (DOJ) welcomed the Senate concurrence in the ratification of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Treaty on Extradition, approved through Senate Resolution No. 69 on third and final reading on 14 September with all 20 senators present voting in favor.

Through the Office of the Chief State Counsel, the DOJ took the lead for the Philippines in the negotiations from the formulation to the finalization of the ASEAN Extradition treaty, and hosted its signing in November 2025.

Under the treaty, ASEAN Member States are obliged to extradite to each other any person wanted for prosecution or service of sentence, provided the offense is punishable in both the requesting and requested states under the dual criminality rule.

In his sponsorship speech, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that a region-wide extradition framework will limit the ability of fugitives to exploit the national and legal borders.

The treaty will come into effect 30 days after the sixth (6th) instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval is deposited, with Timor Leste and Vietnam having already deposited their respective instrument of ratification to the ASEAN Secretariat.

"This treaty warns fugitives that borders will no longer shield them. The DOJ will work for its early entry into force so that our region can ensure a more coordinated fight against transnational crime," Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida A. affirmed.

The Department will continue working with relevant government agencies and ASEAN partners toward the prompt deposit of the Philippines' instrument of ratification, advancing the shared goal of ensuring that fugitives cannot evade justice within the region.