Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Bayan urges Marañon anew: Suspend DSBenedicto execs
By Avelyn Z. Agudon
SHOW YOUR political will.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)- Negros reiterated its challenge to Gov. Joseph Marañon to suspend Don Salvador Benedicto officials facing illegal logging charges.
Guillermo Barreta, chairperson of Bayan-Negros, said Marañon should show his political will by imposing a preventive suspension order on Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz, Councilor David Pontillano and Bagong Silang Barangay Chairman Vicente "Oti" Bacordo.
Also charged were de la Cruz' husband, Nehemias, a former town mayor; Bacordo's son, Eden; and 14 others.
The militant group also challenged Marañon's chief of staff, lawyer Jose Maria Valencia, "to demonstrate superior talents in prosecuting" those found guilty.
Barreta said Valencia could maximize the province' legal machinery and use it to the fullest and not just rely on the "zarzuela" inquiries conducted by the different government agencies.
"If Marañon is sincere in his statement that he will spare no one even his party mates, now is the time for him to show it," he said.
Moreover, the militant group dared Marañon and Valencia to disarm the guerillas of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) to protect the witnesses of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Barreta cited the report of Raul Lorilla, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, that many of those who have knowledge about the illegal logging activities are afraid to come out because they fear the RPA-ABB, who are based in Barangay Bagong Silang, Don Salvador Benedicto. |
