Loot, brgy captain face raps for cutting of trees

CEBU, Philippines - A lawyer filed cases for violating the Revised Forestry Code and for qualified theft before the Ombudsman against Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and a barangay captain.

Lawyer Estrella Martinez, a constituent of Loot, complained against the mayor for the “cutting down of trees without the proper authority or permit and without knowledge and consent of the owners of the lands or trees.”

“The acts committed as supported by herein attached pictures speak eloquently of an arboreal genocide in my birthplace,” said Martinez, who hails from Barangay Calape, in her affidavit of complaint.

Calape Barangay Captain Victor Aguipo was included as respondent.

Martinez, who is currently residing at Tandang Sora, Quezon City, had her affidavit subscribed before Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Dennis Lim.

“I am a lawyer-environmentalist who cares deeply about preserving our environment,” Martinez said.

She resorted to legal action following an incident last May when Aguipo reportedly cut down 24 Gemelina trees and two Mahogany trees in front of the Calape Elementary School.

She further said in her affidavit that the barangay captain did so without securing a permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources (MENRO).

“The logs were deposited in the municipal motor pool upon verbal order of Mayor Loot only after I had reported to MENRO/ Forest officer Arturo Sagrado the act of Aguipo constituting a violation of the Forestry Code of the Philippines,” she said.

She added that Sagrado apprehended Aguipo for committing the violation, but was released after promising that he would not cut trees again without a permit.

She confronted Aguipo in July 5 regarding the rampant cutting of trees in their barangay only to be told that he was doing because of the beautification program of Loot.

Martinez said Aguipo and his men cut all her 26 10-year-old palmae plants in front of her house without her permission in July 30.

From Quezon City, she called up the mayor to get her explanation. Loot told her that gumamela seedlings will be replaced in front of her house as part of her beautification program.

“Aguipo and Loot continued the rampant and unauthorized cutting of trees in our barangay and the big trees along the barangay roadside including the jackfruit trees planted by Governor Gwen Garcia,” the lawyer said.

Loot has earlier challenged Martinez to file a formal complaint in court where she can formally answer the same.

The mayor has explained that all the trees that were cut down were situated along the national road and they had to be cut to avoid road accidents. She said the MENRO has allowed it.  (FREEMAN)