4th ID slams DENR-Region 10 over illegal logging

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Army’s 4th Infantry Division feels that its efforts to curb illegal logging in Northern Mindanao are going to naught.

The reason? The Region 10 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is not doing its part of the campaign, according to Maj. Johnny Macanas, 4th ID spokesman.

"It is clear that the regional (office) is not doing its job," he said.

Macanas said they strongly believe that some personnel of DENR-Region 10 "are in cahoots over these illegal activities," which explains why illegal logging remains unabated in the region. He said they have information to support this allegation.

Macanas recounted that their men recently apprehended a truckload of illegally cut lumber, which was turned over to the DENR-Region 10 which, in turn, subsequently released it.

He said drivers transporting these illegally cut forest products often attempt to bribe soldiers manning checkpoints who detect irregularities in their transport documents.

"Paano na ito? Kaming mga sundalo ay huli nang huli at ang DENR naman ay release nang release maski mga klarong illegal (What shall we do? We soldiers are apprehending one shipment after another but the DENR just releases them, even if they are clearly illegal)," Macanas lamented.

The 4th ID, led by Maj. Gen. Alfonso Dagudag, has been deputized by former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez as forest protectors last year.

"Whether we are deputized or not, we will continue to go after violators of environmental laws," Macanas said.

Since mid-2002, the 4th ID has vigorously monitored the transport of forest products coming from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Caraga region, apprehending more than 400,000 board feet of lumber on board 74 trucks and valued at P5.3 million.

But most of the apprehended shipments had been released.

Macanas said they have wondered why no one has been charged in court for environmental violations despite these apprehensions.

Last Dec. 5, Macanas said their men apprehended a truckload of lumber after noting discrepancies in the transport papers. But on Jan. 12, he said the same truck was caught again with a load of lumber hidden under sacks of rice.

The DENR-Region 10 office, Macanas said, "had the gall to (release the truck) without informing us. We even have the right to file a motion for reconsideration but how could we do that when (the truck was already released)."

"If this is mockery of our efforts will continue, we would be forced to file cases against the responsible DENR personnel and would take it upon ourselves the task of filing cases against the transporters of illegal lumber until they are prosecuted," he added.

The STAR tried to contact DENR-Region director Red Quililan but was told that he was "unavailable" because he was "out of town."