Illegal logging task force eyes list of targets

CEBU, Philippines - The regional task force on illegal logging will soon come up with a list of people involved in illegal logging in Central Visayas, Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo said.

Garbo, a member of the task force, said they are heeding the national government’s directive against illegal logging. He however said that illegal logging is not so much a problem in the region.

“Wala tayong primary target on illegal logging in Central Visayas. However, we are recipient of products of illegal logging particularly coming from Mindanao,” Garbo said.

Garbo hopes that they will be able to come up with the list of personalities involved in illegal logging through the information that they expect to receive from the other members of the task force.

So far, the regional task force which is headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 is focusing on the awareness and advocacy programs.

Although cutting of logs or timbers is not rampant here, Garbo said that as ordered by Philippine National Police director Nicanor Bartolome, they will still implement the “One Strike Policy”, which is also applied on illegal gambling and wanted persons.

The policy would have police officials relieved from their post if found to have done nothing to comply with the directive.

“Kung nakita sa task force na very flagrant iyong violations ng police commanders or any officer of the line agencies of the government, One Strike Policy will be implement particularly against policemen,” Garbo said.

Because of the economic development in Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu, Garbo said the province is the recipient of illegally-cut logs.

“Marami tayong demand for logs and these are illegally cut so iyon ang binabatanyan ng DENR so we created the regional task force,” Garbo added.

The regional task force is composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 as the vice commander, and the PRO-7 and Central Command as members.

— (FREEMAN)