Pursuant to the directive of Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla under Department Circular No. 20-Bdated 10 September 2024, which calls for prosecutors to take a more proactive role in the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes, the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the leadership of Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting to address the challenges of investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes and to explore avenues for greater cooperation and collaboration among government agencies.
The meeting, held on 13 February 2025, was attended by key DOJ officials, including Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, Deputy State Prosecutor (DSP) Margaret V. Castillo-Padilla, Head of the Task Force (TF) on Environmental Cases of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) and other members of the TF. Officials and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crimes Division (NBI-ENCD) also participated in the discussions.
Undersecretary Andres highlighted the shift in approach to investigating environmental crimes as mandated by DC 20-B. Historically, prosecutors would often wait for cases to be filed by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and, in instances where evidence was deemed insufficient, would dismiss cases without fully considering the broader institutional consequences. Under the new directive, however, prosecutors and LEAs are expected to collaborate closely in building robust, evidence-based cases before any complaint is formally filed with the prosecution office. This proactive partnership ensures that only well-founded cases are brought forward, reducing wasted resources and significantly increasing the chances of securing convictions. By meeting the elevated standards of evidence—requiring prima facie proof and a reasonable certainty of conviction—the new directive strengthens the legal framework for environmental crime prosecutions.
DSP Castillo-Padilla expressed her gratitude to the DOJ leadership for the support in this initiative, highlighting that environmental crimes have often been overlooked in favor of more immediate concerns. The issuance of DC 20-B, she said, affirms the DOJ’s recognition of the urgency of holding environmental perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Prosecutor General Fadullon also voiced strong support for the collaborative approach in environmental investigation and prosecution. He said that such teamwork should have been established long ago and expressed appreciation that the initiative is now taking shape. He reiterated that LEAs and prosecutors are not competitors but should function as a unified team to combat environmental crimes effectively.
DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr. also expressed his gratitude to the DOJ for convening all stakeholders, recognizing the significance of the meeting in fostering inter-agency collaboration. He emphasized that this effort will be invaluable in addressing concerns raised by DENR personnel on the ground, ensuring that the policies discussed are effectively implemented and that the challenges faced in the field are adequately addressed.
The meeting was deemed a success, with stakeholders agreeing that continued collaboration is essential to addressing gaps in the investigation and enforcement of environmental laws. Undersecretary Andres proposed institutionalizing quarterly meetings to ensure ongoing coordination and continuous progress. A follow-up session will be scheduled for the next quarter, where stakeholders will tackle proposed solutions to the issues identified during this meeting.
