Philippine wildlife crime-fighting champions honoured at national awards

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QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Wildlife crime is fought in villages, offices, ports, courtrooms and command centres alike. The second Wildlife Sentinel Awards (Wise) reflects this, recognising the many different roles and government institutions that have helped deliver tangible results against wildlife crime in the Philippines.

The Awards, first held in 2024 and organized by wildlife conservation nonprofit TRAFFIC International, recognize individuals and government units for their exceptional work against wildlife crime in the Philippines.

“Every arrest made, every case filed, every operation carried out with integrity, these are the quiet, unglamorous acts that help ensure the survival of these precious beings. I am certain we can build a world that gives all creatures, especially our endangered species, a fighting chance,” said Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, in her opening address.

The 2026 nominees weren't limited to law enforcers. They spanned the gamut of people and agencies who modernised procedures and built systems, communities and networks that scaled up crime-fighting. Their actions covered new and repeat offenders as well as terrestrial, marine and cybercrime. 

These efforts were recognized under five WiSe Awards categories: Innovation, Impact, Integrity, Collaboration and Leadership. This year, 11 individuals and government units were nominated for the fight against wildlife crime, up from eight nominees in the inaugural WiSe Awards in 2024. 

The following are winners for the 2026 WiSe Awards:

Innovation: Police Major Arnel C. Anino, Acting Assistant Chief, Regional Maritime Unit Negros Island Region, Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group (individual)

Impact: : Philippine National Police - Maritime Group (PNP MG) (Unit)

Integrity: Enforcement Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources CARAGA (DENR CARAGA) (Unit)

Collaboration: Enforcement Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources National Capital Region (DENR NCR) (Unit)

Leadership: Philippine National Police - Maritime Group (PNP MG) (Unit)

 3. Winners.jpg

The Winners (from left to right): Police Major Arnel Anino, WiSe for Innovation Awardee; Philippine National Police - Maritime Group represented by Police Brigadier General Crisaleo Roleda Tolentino, WiSe for Impact and Leadership Awardee; Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director for TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia; Enforcement Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources National Capital Region, represented by Maricar Puno Sanchez, WiSe for Collaboration Awardee; and Enforcement Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources CARAGA represented by  Juliebee Cabarles, WiSe for Integrity Awardee.

From investigation and enforcement to strategic alliances and partnering with the local community, the winners showed the many ways the fight against wildlife crime is being bolstered.

"Behind every arrest, wildlife rescue or seizure, is a quiet hero working behind the scenes. We salute the remarkable dedication and commitment of these countless wildlife defenders," said Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director for TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.

This year's winners and nominees remind us that the task ahead is not easy, sometimes fraught with risk and dangers. But we hope their stories inspire others to join this fight, to make the world safer for wildlife and people," she added.

The WiSe Awards is part of TRAFFIC’s Taking Charge: Strengthening Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife Crime in the Philippines project, which is generously funded by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The winners were determined through a rigorous and independent judging process conducted by a Panel of four distinguished experts from the environmental arena. Each entry was evaluated objectively against the pre-defined assessment criteria established for each theme, and based on the evidence and information provided within the nominations.  

Cover photo caption:

WiSe judges pose for a photo with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. (from left to right): Dr. Roger Dolorosa, Professor, Western Philippines University; Precious Bernardo, Program Management Specialist, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Embassy Manila; Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director for TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia; Maria Josefina Tanya "Joy" G. Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City; Serene Chng, Programme Manager of TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia; and Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, Acting Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Postal Corporation

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