DOJ, DENR to jointly fight environmental crimes

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the prosecution of environmental cases.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Environment Secretary Toni YuloLoyzaga signed the agreement on Feb. 21 at the DOJ headquarters in Manila.

Also present were Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres, DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr. and environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr.

According to the DOJ, the agreement “essentially amplifies the case buildup policy” of the department, extending its scope to environmental crimes.

It also advocates for the formulation of joint policies aimed at ensuring accountability for environmental offenders and improving the rate of their conviction.

The DOJ also said the DENR committed to provide funding for capacity-building training programs for both DOJ prosecutors and DENR law enforcement officers to deepen their expertise in handling the specialized nature of environmental crimes, and to equip them with the skills to gather correct and admissible evidence necessary to establish a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction.