DENR Region XI

Brig. Gen. Rene E. Badilla, Deputy Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now the Chairman of the Regional Environmental Intelligence Coordinating Committee (REICC), a committee created under the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force (NAECTAF) headed by Secretary Angelo T. Reyes of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).

As an appointed Chairman of REICC and Deputized Environment & Natural Resources Officer (DENRO), Badilla has the authority to intercept and investigate any violation of forestry laws and to even arrest without warrant any person who has committed such crimes. He is also authorized to apprehend tools and equipments used in executing the offense.

Furthermore, he shall also assist in the enforcement of natural resources laws and regulations and in the conduct of information and education campaign such as public meetings, assemblies and other extension activities.

The creation of NAECTAF is based on the principle that various elements, groups and individuals continue to challenge existing environmental laws, rules and regulations resulting in the deterioration of the environment and the destruction of our natural resources. It is a state policy then to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 515 issued on March 15, 2006, NAECTAF was created to strictly enforce environmental laws, as well as to investigate and prosecute violations thereof. It exerts its efforts to implement various regulations covering the four areas of DENR’s jurisdiction such as Anti-Illegal Logging under the Forest Management, Air Quality & Waste Disposal under the Environmental Management, Illegal Wildlife Trade & Coastal & Marine Protection under the Protected Areas and Wildlife and Fake Titling & Illegal Mining under the Land Management.

Realizing further the need to create a coordinating committee for intelligence fusion at the regional level, Secretary Reyes then created REICC which involves the necessary collaboration and coordination of all government agencies concerned to ensure synchronization of efforts in terms of proper identifying various environmental crimes.

Recently, members of REICC held their general assembly at the DENR Conference Room and were briefed on the current state of the environment and natural resources both in the national and regional level. NAECTAF’s Director for Operations Col. Felipe Perez, also oriented the group about the task force’s rationale, its purpose, functions and powers and updated them on the several accomplishments they have done so far.

Undersecretary for Anti-Environment Crime Task Force Roy V. Kyamko facilitated the Open Forum after the briefing to give way to any questions and clarifications that needs to be addressed.

During the forum, USEC Kyamko was also able to share to the group an Interpol statistics disclosing that wildlife trading comes next to drug trafficking and illegal fire arms trading when in comes to top three worldwide crimes.

“If the environment is not well protected and continue to be destroyed, it would hinder our economic growth.” USEC Kyamko emphasized before concluding the assembly expressing his hopes that the committee will work hand in hand in safeguarding the environment.

Among the Environmental Crimes and Violations covered by the power and function of REICC are: PD 705 (Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines), RA 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), RA 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act), RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), RA 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) and RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.

Members of REICC are DENR, National Bureau of Investigations (NBI), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) among others. (Jei Agas)