BANGKOK, Thailand – Three personnel from the MENRE Forest Management Services (FMS) along with the twenty-seven (27) delegates from Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste have completed the Natural Resource Crime Investigations Course: Session 2 from April 1 to 12, 2024 in Cha Am, Thailand. The course was organized by the International Law Enforcement Academy-Bangkok under the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

This two-week course strengthens law enforcement’s ability to tackle natural resource crimes on public lands. It covers technical skills like investigation, crime scene processing, and report writing. Participants learn about specific crimes including wildland arson, cultural resource theft and damage, timber and forest products theft and damage, occupancy/use of public lands and resources, and some aspects of illegal logging, illegal mining, and wildlife crimes.

The course mixes lectures with hands-on exercises, encouraging information sharing and collaboration between participants. This allows them to build networks and develop plans to fight natural resource crimes in their regions.

With the persistent support of MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim, Deputy Minister Muslima A. Asmawil, Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab, and through the rich network of Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, the FMS is boosting staff skills and collaborations to better protect forests and enforce regulations in support of achieving the ministry’s vision to conserve and sustain the forest resources in the Bangsamoro region.