In a decisive move intended to upskill state prosecutors and intensify collaboration with law enforcers, the Department of Justice (DOJ) spearheaded an intensive training/workshop to fight money laundering and other financial crimes.
In a two-day affair held at The Bayleaf Hotel in Manila from 12-13 December 2024 themed "Money Laundering Training Workshop for Law Enforcers, Financial Investigators and Prosecutors," the Department of Justice (DOJ) successfully convened representatives coming from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), among others, to enhance their skills and foster collaboration in addressing money laundering cases.
Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, Usec-in-Charge, National Prosecution Service (NPS), delivered the key message for the activity, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration among prosecutors, law enforcers and financial investigators in this endeavor.
"The important reforms that we are trying to implement are based on the whole-of-government approach, hindi na po pwedeng kanya-kanya tayo hindi pwedeng ang trabaho ng pulis sila lang ang gagalaw, tapos ang trabaho ng prosecutors independent from the police," Usec Andres said.
For the main part of the activity, Prosecutor General (PG) Richard Anthony D. Fadullon gave a comprehensive lecture on Department Circular No. 15 s. 2024 or "The 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules on Preliminary Investigations and Inquest Proceedings;" and Department Circular No. 20 s. 2023 or "Policy on Pro-Active Involvement of Prosecutors in Case Build-up."
Meanwhile, Deputy State Prosecutor (DSP) Deana P. Perez provided an in-depth discussion on the fundamentals of money laundering and its implications on the Philippine financial system.
"A nation's stability is measured by its financial/economic capability, hence, safeguarding the same from money launderers, hackers and scammers equates to securing our future generations," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla emphasized.
The event concluded with a short message from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief P/BGen. Nicolas D. Torre III commending the DOJ for its efforts in spearheading this activity.
