October 3, 2012. Sydney. Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome returns from Canberra after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Federal Police on October 2.
The 4-star general said: “The MOU deals with enhanced cooperation between the two police forces, especially on transnational crime, on anti-terrorism, on trafficking of persons, on cybercrime law, and other related laws where our two police forces have something in common. We are also very particular about the narcotics operations.”
In an exclusive interview conducted in the house of Tony Tawatao in Woodcroft NSW, General Bartolome said: “It is actually a follow-up on an MOU which was signed during the time of former DILG Secretary Lina. So we’ve been working closely with the Australian Federal Police for 28 years already and we hope to have another 28 years of good working relationship and even further. So that’s what we are here for, to finalize and actually to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the 2 police forces.”
Asked if he is the advance party for President Aquino, Gen. Bartolome clarified: “Regretfully, we cannot wait for [the arrival] of P-Noy because we have to go back to the Philippines . The signing of the MOU will be part of the message maybe of the President when he comes here on October 24.
Sentinel: Is the Philippines or PNP still a very active member of Interpol?
Gen. Bartolome: “Yes, In fact, I am the head of Interpol Manila and I just attended the Interpol General Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam early this year and I also attended the meeting of the different heads of various Interpol Agencies in Lyon France, maybe about 3 or 4 months ago. So we are still very active as far as Interpol is concerned.”
Sentinel: Can you tell us something about your military or police career, when did you start? Are you a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy?
Gen. Bartolome: Yes. I graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, class 1980 and immediately thereafter I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary, one of the four service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Then I was sent to Mindanao where I spent 12 years in maneuver units in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao and North Cotabato.