Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Strong case seen vs illegal loggers: DOJ
By Avelyn Z. Agudon
"WE HAVE a strong case."
Thus said State Prosecutor Isagani Rabe on the illegal logging charges filed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) against Don Salvador Benedicto officials led by Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz.
Rabe said he has already gone over the complaint and briefed the witnesses over the weekend.
Also charged before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office were De la Cruz' husband, Nehemias, DSB's former mayor; Councilor David Pontillano; Bagong Silang Barangay Chairman Vicente "Oti" Bacordo; his son, Eden; and 14 others.
Rabe said he was detailed to the DENR on a part-time basis following the request of Environment Sec. Heherson Alvarez.
He will work with private prosecutor Rayfrando Diaz, former provincial legal officer.
The de la Cruz couple had earlier dismissed the case filed against them as lacking in evidence.
The mayor's husband said the DENR can produce a hundred more witnesses but it would not mean anything.
The case, he said, is a welcome development as they can now answer the allegations in a proper forum. |
