As per the marching orders of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla under Department Circular No. 20-B dated 10 September 2024, prosecutors have to take a more proactive role in the investigation and environmental crime prosecution.

With this, the Department of Justice (DoJ), led by 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, was attended by key DoJ officials, including Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, Deputy State Prosecutor Margaret V. Castillo-Padilla, head of the Task Force on Environmental Cases of the National Prosecution Service and other members of the TF. Officials and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crimes Division also participated in the discussions.

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 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.

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.