You may want to think twice before breaking an environmental law in Manila. In an effort expedite the process of punishing law-breakers, the Philippine Supreme Court has decided to create 150 green courts, intended to deal specifically with eco crime cases.

The top environmental offenses in the area include illegal mining, logging and overfishing, yet violators often slip through the cracks because they bribe officials or the case never makes it to court due to civil and criminal cases taking precedence. An excessive number of cases yet to be handled prompted the decision in an effort to ensure offenders are properly punished if found guilty.

"We want to come out with decisions so that we can set an example that environmental cases are really being prioritized and so we can enforce these environmental laws properly," said Jose Midas Marquez, the chief justice's head of staff. "It seems that many of the violators don't really care because no one gets penalized. If we have cases clearly penalizing violators this might serve as a wake-up call."

The decision comes as judges, prosecutors and legal experts from the Asia-Pacific meet in a three-day "Greening the Bench" conference intended to increase environmental law enforcement in the area.

» Reuters Environment