DOJ, PCG team up for maritime law enforcement training

The Department of Justice (DOJ), through its National Prosecution Service – Special Projects Division (NPS-SPD), recently conducted the second run of a specialized capacity-building training for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aimed at strengthening maritime law enforcement.

Titled “Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement: DOJ Prosecutors’ Capacity Building Training for the Philippine Coast Guard,” the program brought together 26 PCG personnel—including station commanders from PCG district offices across the country—and four counterpart prosecutors.

The training was designed to equip the PCG with tools and legal knowledge necessary to carry out its expanded law enforcement mandate more effectively, with a focus on improving investigative performance in maritime-related crimes.

Training modules included sessions on the Philippine Criminal Justice System, ethical standards for law enforcement agents, DOJ investigative procedures under Department Circulars 20, 28, and 015, emerging crimes, investigative tools and techniques, and trial preparation.

The program culminated in a practice court session where participants simulated testifying as witnesses—mirroring real-life trial procedures.

The initiative was part of the continuing implementation of a 2024 Memorandum of Agreement between the DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) and the PCG. The agreement allows the two agencies to coordinate efforts in line with their respective mandates and the directives of DC20, including maritime law enforcement and environmental crime prosecution.

The opening ceremonies were attended by Commodore Oliver S. Tanseco, Commander of the Coast Guard Investigation and Detection Management Service, with a recorded message from DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres.

The program concluded with closing remarks from PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo E. Cornelio and DOJ Deputy State Prosecutor Margaret V. Castillo-Padilla.