International Cooperation

Philippine National Police at BAK

As part of a one-week study visit to Vienna, a delegation from the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Services (PNP-IAS) visited the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAK) from 19 to 21 May 2025.

The meeting centred on the exchange of expertise on national and international approaches and best practices in the fight against corruption and in the field of investigations. The focus was on the BAK's investigative work, the legal basis in Austria and the structural differences between the two organisations.

On the first day of the study visit, experts from the BAK's ‘Prevention, Education and International Cooperation’ department provided an overview of their diverse education and prevention programmes. On the second and third days, the experts from the BAK's ‘Corruption Investigation’ and ‘Investigation and Complaints Office Allegations of Mistreatment (EBM)’ departments presented their findings.

In the Philippines, the PNP-IAS combines several functions in one organisation. In addition to internal oversight and investigations, the agency also performs prosecutorial and judicial functions. These structural differences provided an interesting basis for discussions on effectiveness and independence in the fight against corruption, with a focus on the police sector.