The Minister of Security, Juan Manuel Pino, the Attorney General in charge, Javier Caraballo, and the General Director of the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai), Elsa Fernández, signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at combating corruption.
“We join positive initiatives such as the fight against corruption, reiterating our commitment to Panama and a prosperous future for children,” said the Minister of Public Security.
Pino stated that the scourge of corruption deeply undermines the future of our society, widening the gap between wealth and poverty, robbing us of the opportunity for better days.
We are aware of the dire consequences produced by corruption, since over the years it has penetrated various sectors of society, including the public sector, weakening institutions, the rule of law and therefore weakening States, which brings with it the strengthening of criminal structures aimed at organized crime, whose ramifications have been spreading throughout the world.
The head of Security emphasized that it is time to join forces not only as public servants, but also as parents, siblings and children, turning the rudder towards a prosperous tomorrow with equal opportunities, strengthening education as a constructive and change tool, Therefore, within each family we must form human beings with values, honest and upright; For this reason, the Ministry of Public Security executes actions aimed at combating acts of corruption, through legal mechanisms such as elevating the Criminological Policy to Law of the Republic, a project that was presented by the Minseg before the assembly, with the purpose to build less violent societies with a low criminal incidence through a restorative process combining inter-institutional articulation in prevention actions.
The Bill that adopts the Domain Forfeiture legislation, also presented by the Ministry of Public Security before the National Assembly, whose purpose is to create and develop a regulatory framework, designed as a legal institute directed against assets of illicit origin or destination, in order to recover illicit assets in favor of the State, constituting a mechanism for generating income to finance the prevention and fight against crime, as well as compensate for the damage caused to society, granting a social function to these assets.
“As I have stated before, the change must be done from within, in this sense, our ministry, focused on strengthening the institutional framework and rescuing values aimed at combating acts of corruption, launched a platform together with CRIME STOPPERS, to receive anonymous complaints against acts of corruption carried out by personnel that make up the Public Force”, asserted Pino.
It transpired that the commitment is demonstrated by the recent results of Operation “ON WHEELS”, a high-profile operation in which the Investigative Prosecutor’s Office together with the National Police achieved an important objective against the commission of crimes against the Public faith, Illicit Association, fraud, and corruption of public officials, having carried out 70 proceedings; arresting 55 people, including 8 public officials.
With these concrete actions we express our position of NO TOLERANCE to corruption. Even, we are in a process of internal debugging, proof of this are the constant operations where I have revealed the phrase “FALLS WHO”.
The constant operations in the fight against crime sometimes imply the apprehension of corrupt units of the Public Force, which does not escape the penetration of Organized Crime.
However, the certainty of punishment has taken precedence in recent years, having a positive impact on discipline within the Security establishments, on the perception and trust of citizens.
Pino reiterated feeling optimistic, in the face of this inter-institutional commitment, underlining his total willingness to fight organized crime, delinquency and any act that undermines social peace, transparency, democracy, equity and, above all, a better future for our children. and adolescents who are the tomorrow of our generation.
During the signing of this memorandum, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Panama, Stewart Tuttle, participated as a witness of honor. Likewise, representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the different diplomatic offices accredited in Panama attended.
