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Friday, February 18, 2005
Solon wants environment office probed on illegal logging
* Says suspended Cenro tolerated big time illegal loggers
* Vows she'll resign if authorities can prove her brother is into illegal logging
CONGRESSWOMAN Corazon N. Malanyaon Thursday welcomed the government's campaign on illegal logging in Davao Oriental saying she herself started a crusade that angered many, including provincial politicians, municipal leaders and enforcers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
However, she strongly suggested that the campaign put the heat on corrupt officials of the provincial and community environment and natural resources offices (Penro/Cenro) who have turned a blind eye on illegal logging activities and whose complacency, if not collaboration with clandestine loggers, is behind the rapid disappearance of Davao Oriental's remaining forest cover.
Malanyaon singled out Cenro officer Julius Valdez for being soft on illegal logging, failing to expedite cases against illegal loggers caught red-handed and even recommending the release of trucks, bulldozers and other equipment caught in illegal operations.
The congresswoman also accused Valdez and his men of framing her brother, former Cateel mayor and now provincial board member Camilo Nuñez, in an illegal logging case.
The lady lawmaker said that the frame-up against her brother was calculated to neutralize her and slowdown her crusade against illegal logging.
A truck owned by Nuñez was allegedly caught loaded with some illegally cut logs mixed with falcata.
Malanyaon said that the truck driver had already cleared her brother in the case after confessing that it was he who loaded the illegally cut logs when Nuñez was in Davao City attending to his daughter who had just undergone a kidney transplant operation at the time.
Malanyaon said that Valdez was quick to file a case against her brother despite being cleared by the truck driver, but was in the habit of failing to act immediately on cases of captured truckloads and even boatloads of illegal cuts logs.
The congresswoman said she was sure about her brother's innocence. She bowed to resign from her position, if the authorities can prove the charges against her brother.
Valdez was among the 21 DENR officials who was suspended by Environment Secretary Mike Defensor last month for their liability in the smuggling of P4.5 million worth of illegally cut lumbers seized in Mandaue City last January 24. The illegal logs came from Davao Oriental.
Malanyaon's statement came about as DENR started its investigation on allegations that Governor Maria Elena Palma Gil and her son, Jaypot, are involved in the worsening illegal logging problem in the province.
Earlier, Senator Miriam Santiago named Palma Gil as one of the governors protecting illegal loggers.
DENR official Salvador Malbog said in newspaper reports that the "full-blown" investigation, to be spearheaded by the community environment and natural resources office in Baganga town, would determine if Palma Gil and her son, Jaypot, were guilty or innocent.
Malbog, who replaced suspended provincial environment chief Benjamin Rosillo, said DENR 11 director Edilberto Boiser gave them 15 days to come out with the result of the investigation.
He said charges will be filed in court if they find sufficient evidence against the Palma Gils.
"There will be no sacred cows in the government's intensified crackdown against illegal loggers," Malbog was quoted as saying.
It was learned that the DENR had already charged several officials, including Cateel town Vice Mayor Aristotle Abella and provincial board member Camilo Nuñez with illegal logging.
Nuñez is the younger brother of Malanyaon.
He said cases were also filed against other suspects, bringing the total number of cases filed in court to 49. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(February 18, 2005 issue)
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