DOJ vows to identify ‘big fishes’ in illegal logging, mining

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday vowed that the government will identify and go after the “big fishes” behind illegal logging and illegal mining in the country now that  it has renewed its campaign against the two illegal activities.

This was one of the marching orders given to the fact-finding committees on anti-illegal mining and anti-illegal logging whose members De Lima met Monday at the justice department.

Aside from discussing the exact mandate of the two fact-finding committees, De Lima also said she instructed members to draw up a priority list of complaints and cases on illegal mining and logging that they will be handling.

She said the government created the fact-finding committees so that it can help local investigative bodies which lack the capability and resources to pursue the cases.

De Lima said that the committees will identify cases that they will take responsibility from local investigative authorities.

“But the focus is the identification of big fishes,” the justice secretary also said.

The committees will include in their investigation the reported involvement of local officials like governors and mayors, she said.

De Lima said that the committees will also look into reported incidence of violence against environment officials and other personalities, including environment and anti-mining advocates, noting that there already had been a number of casualties here.

“Because operations like those against illegal mining have armed components. Because of the advocacy of certain personalities, unfortunately they resort to harassment and violence,” she said.