Butuan City -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force (ACTF) is looking at reports that some of its personnel in the Caraga region may be involved in illegal logging operations.
Environment secretary Regina Lopez said on Monday that she has directed all DENR regional directors to clean up illegal logging in their respective areas or they will face administrative and disciplinary actions.
“The rape of our forests stops now. I'm warning all DENR regional people who allowed this to happen,” Lopez said.
This after AECTF seized some 1,622 illegally cut logs equivalent to 20,236.60 board feet from different parts of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur from February 2 to 6, 2017.
Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, who heads the task force, said contrary to reports, massive illegal logging operation is still present in the Caraga Region.
“With the apprehension of the close to two thousand pieces of illegally cut logs, this only confirmed how massive the illegal logging operation in the area. Based on the instruction from the President Rodrigo Duterte himself to intensify illegal logging operations, secretary Lopez is giving the regional personnel in the ground, including the Penro’s and Cenro’s; 30-days to clean up their act,” said Valdez.
Valdez pointed out that the recent massive flooding and the apprehension of illegally cut logs only reveals that some DENR personnel are not doing their job.
A report from the ACTF stated that on February 2, a total of 319 mixed Dipterocarp logs were apprehended in Manat village in Trento town, Agusan del Sur. While 103 Lauan and Yakal lumber together with 79 mixed logs were also seized the same day in Sitio Sote, Burnoanan and Sitio Mantuyom, Maharlika in Bislig City.
On February 3, a total of 114 illegal cut mixed specie of Lanipao, Malasantol, Philippine Mahogany, Malapajo logs in Sunrise, San Agustin village; another in villages of San Nicolas and Buena Garcia in the town of Talacogon were apprehended by the task force.
Another 93 Malajo and five Lanipao logs were seized in La Flora village, Talacogon on February 5, 2017.
Then on February 6, 156 mixed Dipterocarp logs were apprehended in Sitio Mayniyog, Basa village in Trento and on the same date in Talacogon, around 1,019 mixed Dipterocarp logs and 143 flitches were apprehended with the help of Police personnel.
The newly appointed officer-in-charge, regional director for the DENR in Caraga region Dr. Charlie Fabre, said the efforts of Secretary Lopez will not be wasted and assured that he will try his best to aid in the investigation.
Police Chief Superintendent Rolando Felix, regional director Police Regional Office-Caraga Region assured that the police personnel would be ready to support the task force.
“The DENR is the lead agency, the Philippine National Police role as part of the task force is to assist them. We will provide assistance but the lead agency should have better coordination with us so that our efforts will be better integrated and collaborative work will provide better results,” said Felix.