Representatives from various national government agencies attended the “Training Course on Digital Forensics Software and Turnover and Demonstration of Specialized Law Enforcement Equipment” at the Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, Quezon City, Metro Manila, held last 6-10 March 2023.

Quezon City, Philippines- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) co-organized the “Training Course on Digital Forensics Software and Turnover and Demonstration of Specialized Law Enforcement Equipment” conducted at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, Quezon City, Metro Manila from 6-10 March 2023.

Twenty-four (24) participants from various agencies, namely the DENR-BMB, DENR-Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS), DENR Regions NCR and 7, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), PNP-Maritime Group, and DOJ-National Prosecution Service (NPS) actively participated in this five-day training course by the UNODC through the Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment. The said training course was conducted to equip law enforcement officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to intercept and investigate illegal activities related to wildlife trafficking.

This training provided the officers with an opportunity to participate in hands-on exercises to strengthen their skills in utilizing various equipment and techniques using the digital forensic toolkit, Magnet Axiom. The training program included a series of lectures from international experts from Cyber Forensic and Investigation (CFI), Mr. Nathapong Limpdaengskul, and Mr. Tanaphan Sanyutthasat.

The lectures from international experts were intended to provide the participants with comprehensive knowledge and insights into the latest tools, technologies, and approaches used in wildlife crime investigations. They were given by experts with a deep understanding of the subject matter and extensive practical experience in the field. The hands-on exercises allowed the participants to apply their learning in a practical setting. By participating in these exercises, the officers could hone their skills in extracting digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, and other relevant tools. The course also provided a platform for officers from different agencies to share their experiences and best practices, leading to improved collaboration and coordination among law enforcement agencies in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

Overall, this training course was an important initiative to strengthen law enforcement officers’ capacity to combat wildlife crimes.

Turnover and Demonstration of Specialized Law Enforcement Equipment

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has recently donated equipment to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through BMB to aid in the fight against wildlife trafficking. The donated equipment includes the DJI Matrice 30 Therma Drone, GoPro Hero10 Black, ZEISS Terra Binoculars, GPS Asset Tracker, Listening device, and Voice Recorder, which will enable law enforcement officers to investigate efficiently and prosecute cases related to wildlife crimes. The donation of this equipment by UNODC is an essential step in supporting the efforts of the Philippine government to combat wildlife trafficking. It underscores the importance of international cooperation and highlights the UNODC’s commitment and support to the national government.

Participants gathered to explore and closely examine the specialized law enforcement equipment donated by the UNODC.