Law Enforcement

The marine park rangers in Tubbataha, established in 1995, represents a shift towards decentralized and collaborative natural resource management. Formed by a Presidential Task Force and formalized in the TRNP Act of 2009, it includes the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, Cagayancillo Local Government, and Tubbataha Management Office. Since its establishment in 2001, the Tubbataha Management Office, with WWF-Philippines' help, developed guidelines and comprehensive training for rangers from diverse backgrounds to ensure effective law enforcement and protection of Tubbataha's marine environment.

The Republic Act 10067, otherwise known as the TRNP Act of 2009, provides the legal and institutional framework for enforcement in the Tubbataha Reefs.  The statute defines the authority of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) to impose sanctions against violators.  Further details of RA 10067 are found in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) issued by the TPAMB in October 2010 and amended in 2017. The IRR also provides details of the functions of the TPAMB Adjudication Board (TAB), the legal arm of the TPAMB.