ZAMBOANGA CITY — The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), through its Manila office, has strengthened coordination with Philippine law enforcement and government agencies in preparation for a multinational operation targeting the illegal smuggling of chemicals, with Zamboanga Peninsula and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi included in the country’s operational focus.
INTERPOL Manila representatives conducted a pre-deployment briefing and coordination meeting with various government agencies in Zamboanga City on October 26, 2026, ahead of the implementation of the Operational Phase of Chemical Anti-Smuggling Enforcement (CHASE) 2026.
The five-day operation, scheduled from October 26 to 30, is being conducted simultaneously in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand as part of a coordinated regional effort to strengthen enforcement against the illicit movement and smuggling of chemicals across international borders.
In the Philippines, operational activities are focused on the ZAMBASULTA area, covering Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi — a strategically important maritime zone where effective coordination among law enforcement, customs, immigration, and security agencies is essential in monitoring the movement of goods and preventing illegal cross-border activities.
Representatives from the Philippine Ports Authority–Port Management Office of Zamboanga (PPA-PMO Zamboanga), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Canine Group (EOD/K9), Philippine National Police–Maritime Group, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) attended the coordination meeting.
The briefing aimed to establish a common operational understanding among participating agencies, strengthen information-sharing and inter-agency coordination, and ensure that personnel, resources, and operational arrangements were in place before the enforcement activities commenced.
The participation of agencies responsible for port management, customs inspections, border control, maritime security, intelligence, and specialized security operations underscores the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing chemical smuggling, which can involve complex transportation networks and cross-border movements.
By bringing together the different government units, CHASE 2026 seeks to improve operational readiness and cooperation across participating countries, while reinforcing efforts to detect and prevent the illegal movement of chemicals through ports and other potential entry and transit points.
Authorities have not provided specific details on the number of personnel deployed, targeted shipments, or any seizures or arrests resulting from the operation. The briefing, however, marked an important preparatory step in the Philippines’ participation in the regional enforcement initiative.