THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) In Davao Region and other government agencies launched the Regional Task Force against Environmental Crimes Thursday, April 26.
The task force was formed to act on abuses or violations against the environment as well as enforce environmental laws.
It is composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and DENR 11.
Superintendent Alberto T. Lupas, acting chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD) of Police Regional Office (PRO 11), committed in a press conference Thursday full support for the advocacy.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang campaign (against environmental issues), mas lalo pa itong pinaigting natin, yung ating collaboration with other agencies. We are all very happy na talagang pinangunahan ng DENR, tsaka kami, kasama yung AFP,” Lupas said.
“Sobra-sobra ang commitment namin dito, lahat gagawin namin para masuportahan ang project (task force),” he added.
Senior Inspector Ricky M. Fornolles, provincial officer of Davao Occidental CIDG 11, said they were willing to cooperate with the task force.
“Just like Tupas, matagal [na itong] ginagawa ng PNP and CIDG. Mas pinaigting pa namin, all-out war against environmental crimes narin kami with the support of the DENR and our very own PRRD,” Fornolles said.
Major Ezra L. Balagtey of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command said that environmental protection is one of the primary focus of the AFP aside from peace and security operations. (Yvonne C. Masloc, FSUU Intern)