‘Probe wanton cutting of trees in C. Mindanao watersheds’

COTABATO CITY — Officials in Central Mindanao urged Malacañang yesterday to probe the wanton cutting of trees in watersheds at the boundaries of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato, which they blamed for the perennial flash floods in the lowlands.

Authorities have placed at P80 million the damage wrought to crops, livestock and infrastructure by Monday’s flash floods in hinterland towns of North Cotabato and Maguindanao following days of torrential rains.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said he has tasked his planners to organize an interim group to investigate the intrusion into forested areas in the province by loggers using permits issued by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao supposedly only for areas in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

"We shall flex our muscle this time. We shall prosecute these loggers to the fullest extent of the law once they are found cutting trees outside of areas they are supposed to do their destructive, but very profitable activities," Piñol said.

One of the worst-hit by Monday’s flash floods in Central Mindanao was North Cotabato’s Alamada town, which is not far away from the forested boundary of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.