AN IRKED Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into the dismissal of the complaint on the killing of pine trees, saying this was “abnormal and scheming”.

Magalong said he will relay his request through DOJ Undersecretary Deo Marco.

He warned Deputy City Prosecutor Conrado Catral Jr., who junked the complaint filed by the Baguio City Government against Gateluck Corporation over the death of pine trees along Legarda Road.

“Nakakalungkot isipin na dinismiss ni Prosecutor Catral, despite the fact na may merit yung case, so ang ginawa ko ngayon eh sinumbong ko siya sa Department of Justice,” Magalong said in a press briefing on Friday, October 4, 2019.

(It’s sad to note that Prosecutor Catral dismissed the complaint despite the fact that it has merit. I referred the case to the Department of Justice.)

“Very abnormal ang ginawa niya eh, inuna pa niya furnish-san ang media kaysa sa amin sinumbong ko na siya kay Usec Marco,” he added.

(What he did was very abnormal. He even furnished the media a copy of his resolution before he could send one to us. I told Usec Marco about him.)

To Catral, Magalong said, “Prosecutor Catral, I strongly asked [the DOJ] that you should be investigated, you better watch out.”

The prosecutor had cited the City Government’s failure to "fully establish the probable criminal culpability” of Gateluck.

The City Government’s complaint cited Gateluck for 45 counts of violation of the Environmental Code.

Magalong earlier said Gateluck may face suspension or cancellation of its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration, which would render its operations illegal.

The case stemmed from a complaint that the Mayor’s Office received about the “deliberate killing” of 45 pine trees inside the private property of Gateluck.

Magalong personally investigated the property owned by Jasper Golangco and found 45 fully grown trees were intentionally and slowly being killed as evidenced by holes bored in each tree.

A substance that appeared to look like salt was placed in these holes and was believed to cause the death of the trees. (Maria Elena Catajan)