In the Balabac Strait Marine Biodiversity Conservation Corridor, CI is working with Tanggol Kalikasan Foundation, Inc. (TK) to orient local stakeholders in environmental laws. TK conducted two Law Enforcement Trainings for local stakeholders in the Balabac Strait Corridor, one of the hotspots for various illegal activities in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. The first training was conducted on August 28-31, 2006 and participated in by 52 people coming from the Municipal Government of Balabac, members of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coastguard stationed in the area, members of the Philippine National Police, including Barangay Captains (elected village leaders), who all play important roles in the enforcement and implementation of environmental laws. The training included an orientation on the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Wildlife Act as well as other relevant laws. It also gave the trainees the opportunity to learn how to examine fishes caught by illegal means such as bombing (dynamite) and poisoning (sodium and cyanide). Sessions on the proper way of arresting, seizure, boarding the boats and detention of violators, including the use of arms and communication equipment were conducted.
Spotting an illegally caught fish - by poisoning or by blasting — is part of the training organized by Tanggol Kalikasan to orient local stakeholders about environmental laws.
A second round of enforcement training was conducted for fishermen groups such as members of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) along with other volunteer groups called Bantay Dagat (Guardians of the Sea) who are deputized and may implement citizens’ arrest against violators of environmental laws. This was conducted on September 20-24, 2006, also in the municipality of Balabac. 70 participated in this training course.
On-the-ground law enforcement training for MFARMC officials and Bantay Dagat (Guardians of the Sea) Volunteers in Balabac.
About Tanggol Kalikasan
- Tanggol Kalikasan
- (Defense of Nature) is a non-stock, non-profit and non-governmental organization doing public interest lawyering in the Philippines. It has operated as an environmental law office for 17 years already. Tanggol works with national and international partners and networks and has its main office in Quezon City. It also maintains fully-staffed area offices in Alaminos City, Pangasinan (Northern Luzon Office) and Lucena City (Southern Luzon Office) and field offices in Lipa City and Baao, Camarines Sur.