The meeting with Brig. Gen. Crizaldo O. Nieves has resulted in strengthening the partnership between the two agencies in environmental law enforcement.

 

In the meeting, Director Bambalan discussed her plan on renaming the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force into Regional Environmental Laws Enforcement Committee (RELEC). She said this will ensure enforcement of other environmental laws to also protect wildlife including coastal and marine resources. The DENR will orient the chiefs of police and other partners on salient environmental policies.

 

The regional environment chief also appealed to the PNP that forest products and conveyances apprehended by the police be properly turned over to the DENR.

 

PNP Regional Director Nieves assured the support of the uniformed personnel to the DENR. He committed to conduct training on firearms handling for forest rangers and other forest protection officers.

 

The strengthening of the partnership will be formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with other law enforcement agencies to include the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Marines and Philippine Coast Guard. Religious and media sectors will also be part of the RELEC. The obligations to be included in the MOA will be presented for review by the concerned agencies in the coming meeting to be conducted by the DENR.#