Aquino warns 'greedy' pols involved in illegal logging

DANAO CITY, Philippines  – President Aquino said here yesterday six mayors in Agusan del Sur and not five as earlier reported are under investigation for allowing illegal logging to flourish in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The President also vowed to crush those who had been ”greedy” saying he would make sure they would be penalized for their wrongdoing.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier asked the Agusan mayors to explain why they should not be administratively charged for rampant illegal logging that resulted in massive flooding, deaths and damage to infrastructure last year.

The President, who was here for the signing of the coalition agreement between the Liberal Party and Barug Alang sa Kauswagan Ug Demokrsya Party, assailed the local officials for allowing the indiscriminate cutting of trees despite warnings.

“They did not take me seriously so thank you, you challenged me so now we are asking no less than six mayors to explain. They were given show cause order and explain why no charges should be filed against you,” Aquino said.

He said 31 officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and six chiefs of police were relieved for not doing their jobs.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said the mayors should -be able to justify why administrative cases should not be filed against them.

Robredo said the government also plans to widen its investigation to cover every province in the country.