Over 'illegal' tree cutting Mayor's kin, 7 others summoned

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be investigating the alleged illegal cutting of trees in a timberland or watershed area in Sitio Campensa, Barangay Manipis, Talisay City.

DENR public information officer Dr. Eddie Llamedo said they already sent a notice of hearing to eight persons, including the brother of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, Wilfredo, and two barangay councilmen, over the alleged cutting of eight mahogany trees, believed to be 40 years old.

Aside from Wilfredo and Kagawads Eduardo Abalo and Antonio Javier, the DENR also summoned Roger Bajo, the school head of Manipis, truck driver Virgilio Bastida, Araulfo Enjada, Roldan Basamayor and Marciano Silva, the chainsaw operator.

"The cutting was (supposedly) made within the Osmeña reforestation area, one of the oldest plantations in the country located in Manipis," Llamedo said.

According to Llamedo, the eight persons will be made to explain why they should not be penalized for violating Section 77 of the Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines and Executive Order No. 23 or the moratorium on the cutting of trees.

The issue stemmed from a complaint lodged at the office of City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos from Leo Togonon, president of Agri-based Rural Technology on Hilly Upland Resources, pointing the illegal cutting of trees in the watershed's premises.

In an interview with the reporters, Bacaltos said he and Councilor Doroteo Emit conducted an ocular inspection in the area. Bacaltos sits as chairman of the committee on environment while Emit, one of his members.

Bacaltos said that there were big mahogany trees that were cut down and transported to an unknown destination with the use of government vehicle colored yellow.

Last February, the principal of Campensa Elementary School requested the city to trim tree branches since they already encroached to the school room's roof. There was another request through barangay officials for them to use a chainsaw and to cut the tree.

"Nahibung lang ko kay imbis usa ra ang putlon nganung nahimo mang lima?" (According to DENR, eight mahogany trees were cut) Bacaltos said, adding that he asked for the DENR permit from the loggers but failed to present the same.

Bacaltos already made a resolution asking the agency to investigate as he will make his recommendation based on DENR findings.

In a separate interview, De los Reyes said that Captain Emmie Cabiluna of Manipis was the one who requested for a chainsaw and to cut the trees.

De los Reyes said the residents of Campensa saw him because they were also making a water reservoir in the area. He said that the request was to cut down the tree near the school.

"Wa ko kahibalo og pila ang giputol nga kahoy unya ang gisakyan sa kahoy city government gyud kay lisud man pud og sa Sorento nako," he said.

The mayor added that if there are cases to be filed against him, he is ready to face them.

Separately, Cabiluna said that she could not remember sending letter request for a chainsaw and to cut the tree near the school but instead pointed out that Eddie Abalo, barangay councilor, was the one who made his own request to the mayor.

She said that the trees that were cut down were already there since she was married in 1975. The trees, she added, were in the protected area.

"Ang request mao ang kahoy tapad sa eskwelahan pero naa may kahoy nga layo sa eskwelahan nga giapil og putol," Cabiluna said.

Under the law, a tree cutting permit may be taken from the DENR regional director, provided that the clearance to cut is obtained from the DENR central office. (FREEMAN)