Whipps backs regional policing plan, says it will help curb safety issues

President Surangel Whipps Jr. supports the Australian-funded police plan, which he says will help address several security issues currently plaguing Palau, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal, underreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Whipps in Tonga endorsed the groundbreaking regional policing plan at the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) summit.

The plan is a way to limit China’s security role in the region. Whipps has been vocal about China’s attempt to force Palau to cut ties with Taiwan.

Whipps also accuses China of being behind several cyber attacks in Palau.

“We have IUU, we now have drugs, human trafficking. Palau has been hit by three major cybersecurity incidents in the past year,” Whipps said in a statement from the Pacific Joint Leaders.

“It is so important that we develop our local police forces and are able to work together and collaborate to address the challenges. Without peace and security, we cannot prosper as Pacific Islands,” he added.

He said the Pacific region faced security challenges and praised the Australian-funded Patrol Boat Program, which serves as a deterrent against IUU.

“And so we need to continue to focus on and build those internal capacities that will enable us to combat crime and the challenges that we face,” Whipps said.

The regional policing plan includes the establishment of four regional police training centres and a multinational crisis response force. Initial funding, amounting to $271 million, will come from Australia.

Under the plan, a corps of about 200 officers from various Pacific Island nations could be deployed to regional hot spots and disaster areas if needed and upon invitation.

Palau reported that it is facing a worrying increase in methamphetamine trafficking, mainly committed by foreigners, according to recent cases reported by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) (Supreme Court of Palau, 2024).

In February, three separate drug trafficking cases were brought to court for felony charges.

Lieutenant Kenny Sengebau of the Narcotics Enforcement Agency (NEA) and Transnational Crime Unit (NEA, 2024) confirmed a significant increase in cases involving Chinese nationals attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into Palau (NEA, 2024). Although three cases have already been filed, ongoing investigations suggest the problem may be more widespread (NEA, 2024).