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Caraga Financial Crime Dialogue
Regional Dialogue Advances Skills in Financial Crime Investigation

Prosecutors and law enforcement officers from the Caraga Region gathered for a specialised dialogue to enhance skills in investigating and prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing. This two-day activity was organised by the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service Regional Prosecutor’s Office XIII in collaboration with the Philippine National Police, Police Regional Office 13. It followed the Caraga Regional Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Task Force’s the official launch.

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In an effort to strengthen financial crime enforcement, thirty-seven prosecutors and law enforcement officers from the Caraga Region convened for a specialised dialogue, “Caraga Prosecutors and Police Convergence: Financial Investigation Course,” aimed at enhancing their skills in investigating and prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing cases.  This activity took place immediately after the official launch of the Caraga Regional Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing (CRAMLATF) Task Force, which was established by Regional Order No. 25-13 pursuant to Department of Justice Circular No. 030, s 2024.

Led by Regional Prosecutor John S. Magdaraog, the task force comprises City and Provincial Prosecutors of Caraga, including those assigned to Special Commercial Courts, all of whom have completed focused training on addressing these complex and evolving financial crimes.

During the two-day dialogue activity, participants reviewed the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA), Republic Act No. 9160, and its subsequent significant amendments.  These include R.A. Nos. 9194, 10167, 10365, 10927, and 11521, which have progressively expanded the scope of covered institutions and persons to include casinos, real estate developers and brokers, and offshore gaming operators, among others.  These legislative developments have strengthened the investigative powers of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and enhanced compliance requirements, aligning the Philippines’ anti-money laundering framework with international standards in the fight against financial crimes.

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The dialogue featured in-depth presentations by Atty. Erano A. Dumale, Deputy Director of the Financial Crimes Investigation Group II, AMLC, who underscored the importance of interagency collaboration in strengthening nationwide efforts against illicit finance and terrorism funding.

Particularly, attention was also given to the Supreme Court’s Administrative Matter No. 03-03-03-SC (2003), which designated certain Regional Trial Courts as Special Commercial Courts.  These courts, originally handling commercial and intellectual property cases, have since expanded their jurisdiction to include anti-money laundering cases and civil and criminal forfeiture under R.A. 9160, ensuring a specialised judicial process for these complex financial crimes.

The dialogue further touched upon the Philippines' commitment to international standards as a signatory to the Vienna Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Participants discussed the country’s obligations to enact domestic laws, engage in international cooperation, and comply with monitoring bodies such as the International Narcotics Control Board to uphold the Convention’s provisions.

The course enhanced participants’ expertise in tracing and analysing complex financial transactions, a key element in successful prosecution of financial crimes. It fostered in-depth discussions on the legal frameworks and operational strategies crucial for financial investigations.  As members newly appointed to the task force, the participants coordinated closely with key regional law enforcement bodies such as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  This comprehensive multi-agency collaboration aims to unify efforts, improve coordination, and sharpen investigative capacities across various jurisdictions.

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In summary, the session provided a thorough review of evolving legal frameworks on money laundering and terrorism financing. Participants examined investigative concepts and procedures in detail, supported by sample scenarios and jurisprudence case studies. Interactive exercises ensured that prosecutors and investigators were better equipped to apply this knowledge in practice.

This dialogue activity was organised by the DOJ-National Prosecution Service in collaboration with the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation as part of the partnership between the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service, the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation on the program, “Dialogue between Prosecutors and Police Investigators from the Northern Mindanao Region,” which began in the Northern Mindanao Region in 2017 and expanded to the Caraga Region in 2024.