U.S. Trains DOJ Prosecutors on Environmental Crimes

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The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), recently partnered with the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide specialized training for 24 DOJ prosecutors, enhancing their expertise in handling environmental crimes.

Facilitated by USAID-trained experts from the DOJ, the training took place in Pampanga and Bataan from October 15 to 18 as part of USAID’s Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) project.

Participants engaged in mock court proceedings with actual expert witnesses and environmental law enforcement officers, alongside crime scene investigation simulations at Bataan Natural Park. These exercises improved the prosecutors’ knowledge of crime scene investigation, evidence handling, and case building.

The training emphasized the importance of collecting strong evidence before filing cases, which increases the likelihood of successful convictions and strengthens the DOJ’s efforts to safeguard protected areas under Philippine law.

“USAID, through the SIBOL project, is proud to support the DOJ in improving the capacity of state prosecutors to tackle environmental crimes through practical, hands-on training,” said Thomas Kaluzny, Deputy Director of USAID Philippines’ Environment Office.

“We do not just want prosecutors to be skilled in investigating and prosecuting cases, but we also want them to live by the principles of environmental leadership,” added DOJ Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Hazel Decena-Valdez.

Since 2022, USAID has trained 209 prosecutors in environmental law enforcement and has supported the DOJ in developing additional courses on illegal wildlife trade, forestry, and fisheries.

USAID, through the SIBOL project, collaborates with the Philippine government, private sector, and civil society to strengthen science-based decision-making and address threats to biodiversity posed by unsustainable practices, irresponsible tourism, and environmental crimes.