Special group starts training on crimes vs marine life

CEBU, Philippines - The Marine Special Investigation Group kicked off yesterday its five-day training and information sharing at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City.

The group is organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Wildlife Enforcement Network in cooperation with the USAID-funded Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking program, Freeland Foundation, and the US State Department Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Freeland Foundation director of field operations, Douglas Goessman, said they and their partners developed the program in response to the rapid increase in wildlife poaching, trafficking and habitat destruction in marine areas.

He said destruction of the marine environment, fisheries, and other wildlife resources jeopardizes a nation’s security.

“Therefore, the objective of this first-of-its-kind SIG is to address transnational organized crime and other regional security threats by enhancing law enforcement investigation capacity for officers responsible for investigating poaching and trafficking of protected marine species,” he said.

Representing Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano in his welcome message said the event is very timely and carries great significance.

Ouano, who heads the PB committee on environmental protection, said Cebuanos have witnessed recent events as the local media carried the news of illegal trafficking and trading of corals, shells, turtles, shark meat, and other wildlife terrestrial and marine species.

He reported that the provincial government has exerted efforts and initiatives to address the issues which, according to him, are quite complex and complicated.

“We need to address the social problems, such as poverty and the lack of alternative livelihood and opportunities, that drive our people to engage in these illegal activities,” Ouano said.

Ouano believes the problem does not only exist in Cebu but in the rest of the world, thus, cooperation between countries is now a must as this will help provide solutions to address local situation.

Goessman said the Marine SIG will demonstrate and discuss the importance of communications and sharing information between participant countries, law enforcement agencies, World Customs Organization RILO/AP and INTERPOOL in order to document and combat transnational wildlife criminal elements.

 “This joint training and joint effort will develop capacity and working relationships, enabling future joint enforcement operations which will weaken syndicates involved in the poaching and trafficking of protected marine species,” he added.

 Aside from the Philippines, other participants and facilitators came from Indonesia, Palau, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam and United States of America.  (FREEMAN)