Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has strengthened its capability to enforce environmental laws in protected areas. This, after the National Prosecution Service Special Projects Division recently undertook the third iteration of the Specialized Course for Prosecutors on the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (SCoPE) in Clark, Pampanga, the DOJ shared in a Tuesday news release.
According to Philippines News Agency, the training course built up on the fundamental course on the investigation and prosecution of environmental cases, with particular focus on protected areas. It aims to enhance prosecutorial skills and knowledge in handling violations of Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 2018. It also looks into the challenges in the prosecution of NIPAS cases and the possible courses of action to address these challenges.
The DOJ said the course was highlighted by the mock crime scene investigation in a protected area of Abucay,
Bataan, wherein participants were immersed in crime scene search, identification, documentation, recovery and tagging of evidence. This was followed by case buildup exercises, which included experts from the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) Protected Areas Management Office of Bataan. A mock trial was also conducted, where expert witnesses were presented on direct examination by prosecutors, alongside DENR lawyers.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials from the DOJ, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Research Triangle Institute – Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes.