Manila: House Speaker and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) President Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III on Wednesday proposed expanding the mandate of the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) to cover a broader range of crimes linked to the illicit drug trade, saying criminal networks have become increasingly interconnected and transnational.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the keynote address at the 9th Meeting of AIPACODD in Manila, Dy highlighted that the threat facing ASEAN has evolved since the establishment of the AIPA Fact-Finding Committee to Combat the Drug Menace (AIFOCOM). He emphasized the need for AIPACODD to adapt to the changing landscape of drug-related crimes, which are now intertwined with transnational organized crime.

Dy stated that drug-related crimes are no longer isolated incidents but are part of a larger network that jeopardizes regional security, economic stability, and human development. He stressed the importance of ASEAN nations collaborating to overcome legal and enforcement challenges posed by these criminal networks.

Furthermore, Dy proposed that the Philippines supports expanding AIPACODD's mandate to include other crimes associated with the drug trade. This expansion, termed 'AIPACODD Plus,' aims to enhance ASEAN parliamentary cooperation against not only drug trafficking but also related crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking, and cybercrime.

The proposed reforms build upon a previous initiative by the Philippines during the 38th AIPA General Assembly in Manila in 2017. At that time, member parliaments agreed to transform AIFOCOM into AIPACODD, shifting focus from fact-finding to consultation and coordinated action against drug-related threats.

As the Philippines currently presides over AIPA, it plans to host the 47th AIPA General Assembly in November 2026 under the theme 'Parliaments Securing a Peaceful, Prosperous, and People-Centered ASEAN.' Dy's proposal for 'AIPACODD Plus' will be a central topic in ongoing discussions among ASEAN parliamentarians to bolster regional cooperation against transnational crime.