2 men arrested for cutting trees

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were arrested Saturday after they were caught cutting coconut trees without permit in Barangay Cawayan in the southern town of Dalaguete.

Unfortunately for suspects Gario Villaraso, 44, and Sergio Himaya, 40, no less than a policeman caught them cutting the trees.

Villaraso was the one handling the chainsaw while Villaraso was assisting him. Both men are married.

The policeman, P/Insp. Dexter Basigro, said he was walking to his house when he heard the sound of a chainsaw. He followed the sound until he reached the area where the suspects were cutting the coconut trees.

Basigro said he introduced himself to the two and asked if they had a permit to cut the trees down. The two men said they had none and Basigro placed them under arrest.

Seized from the two men were a chainsaw engine, 41 pieces of wood measuring 2x2x10, 62 pieces of wood measuring 2x2x8, a gasoline container, and a steel tool box.

Villaraso and Himaya said they were only hired to cut the trees but refused to disclose who hired them. They also did not know the owner of property where the coconuts were planted.

Basigro explained that even if the one cutting owns the trees and the property, that person still needs to get a permit from the Philippine Coconut Authority.

Considering the fast increase in the price of coconut oil, Basigro said it is important that coconut trees are protected from unscrupulous individuals.

“Dapat matagaan ug proteksyon ang atong mga kalubihan kay dako kaayo ni ug ikatabang nato,” Basigro said.

Villaraso and Himaya are detained at the Dalaguete Police Station while awaiting the filing of formal charges against them for violating Republic Act 8084, the law that regulates the cutting of coconut trees and their replenishments. – (FREEMAN)