Australian Embassy and Law Enforcement Agencies Affirm Support to Boost Justice System through Forensic Degree Program

March 30, 2026

Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by Jaira Purificacion

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown and Chancellor Michael Tee , faculty members from Monash University and officials from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine National Police, National Police Commission, and National Bureau of Investigation, students of the Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine program. — Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown and Chancellor Michael Tee (7th and 8th from left) are flanked by faculty members from Monash University and officials from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine National Police, National Police Commission, and National Bureau of Investigation. Also in the photo are the students of the Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine program.

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown expressed full support for the country’s first Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine during a meeting at the University of the Philippines Manila on March 26, 2026, led by Chancellor Michael Tee.

The curriculum for the two-year degree program was jointly developed by Australia’s Monash University and the College of Medicine of UP Manila following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in October 2024. Experts from both institutions lead the delivery of the new postgraduate program.

Ambassador Innes-Brown described the program as a strong example of meaningful international cooperation and commended the experts of UP Manila and Monash University for the successful opening of the inaugural class in February 2026.

“I’m very pleased it’s taking shape and the courses have started. It’s a wonderful example of a wonderful cooperation we can do together,” he said.

In the same meeting, officials from the Philippine National Police(PNP), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also reiterated their support for the program.

PNP Forensic Group Director PCOL Pierre Paul Carpio said the PNP can provide cadavers for training, while Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan noted that the NAPOLCOM can host the venue for forensic examination training.

The first batch of students of the Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine Program is composed of two pathologists, one pediatrician, one physician from the PNP and another from NBI.

UP College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong expressed hopes for a steady rise in the number of students enrolling in the program in the years ahead.

Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan of the National Police Commission — UP College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong expressed hopes for a steady rise in the number of students enrolling in the program in the years ahead.

The partnership fulfilled an enduring aspiration to strengthen the practice of forensic medicine in the Philippines, UP College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong noted.

Also present in the meeting are Chancellor Bernadette Heizel Reyes, Chancellor Jose Tecson, NBI Assistant Director for Forensic and Scientific Research Service, Dr. Rommel Papa, Australian Embassy Second Secretary James Lawler, Australian Embassy Political Research Officer Bonz Magsambol, PNP Forensic Group Officers Herardo Hermosilla, Hector Sorra, and Marilyn Delos Santos, UP College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong, Department of Pathology Chairperson, Dr. Jose Carnate; Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Raquel Fortun; and Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine students Patricia Ann Franco, Princess Jeanne Gairanod, Paul Garreth Lucero, Al Anthony Chua, and Jericho Angelito Cordero. Monash University Forensic Medicine Professors, Dr. Stephen Cordner and Dr. Nicholas Dempsey also attended the meeting.