31 January 2006 - Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Teresita V.G. Barsana met recently with Brazilian Minister of Justice Hon. Marcio Tomas Bastos (L) and Ambassador Oswaldo E.B. Portella (R), Chief International Adviser of the Ministry of Justice, to discuss and explore areas of cooperation in the field of law enforcement and the protection of nationals in each other’s territories. Ambassador Barsana conveyed to Minister Bastos the Philippine Government’s appreciation to the Brazilian Government for providing legal assistance, through its public defender’s office, to Filipinos accused of various offenses under Brazilian law especially drug-related charges. She also thanked the Minister for the assistance extended to the Embassy in pursuing its mandate to protect the welfare and interest of Filipino nationals in Brazil.    Both officials also agreed to forge greater collaboration in information/intelligence sharing between police, drug enforcement and immigration authorities to prevent their nationals from being preyed upon by unscrupulous operators. They noted the importance of formalizing cooperation through the conclusion of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between both countries.