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Monday, February 20, 2017
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ILOILO – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 filed criminal charges against eight men for cutting, collecting and destroying trees within the Bulabog-Putian National Park (BPNP).
BPNP is a protected area in Dingle, Iloilo.
A total of 20.1 cubic meters or 8,517.89 board feet plus three mahogany round poles of illegally cut forest products were apprehended by a team of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Barotac Nuevo town on Jan. 26.
The total volume of forest products had an estimated market value of P275,515.20.
The following were charged with violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705 (Revised Forestry Code): Romeo Mallorca, John Paul Galeno, Zaldy Dao-ang, and Roy Flores.
They claimed the trees they cut were within the titled property of Meliton Dalipe / Rogelia Mallorca.
With the use of the LAWIN or the Landscape and Wildlife Indicator and Biodiversity Protection System Smartphone application, however, the area was tracked to be within the BPNP and no land title was presented.
On the other hand, Jerry Galeno, Michael Dayandayan, Jay Dayandayan, Jomar Ardiente Bucaling, and Narry Banhao Francelizo were caught cutting, destroying trees and gathering planted mahogany trees without authority. They were similarly charged.
Mallorca and Dao-ang were also charged with violating Section 7 (A and D) of Republic Act 9175 (The Chainsaw Act of 2002). They did not have licenses to use chainsaws.
“We will never tolerate crimes against the environment. The BPNP is a protected area and is even called ‘a living university’ due to the presence of different plant and animal species in it and its accessibility from the city. It’s important to maintaining ecological balance,” said DENR regional director Jim Sampulna. (DENR/PN)
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