Man cuts trees, faces charges

DENR files changes vs. logger whose men were caught cutting down 23 indigenous trees

Alejandro Estopa, officer-in charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, charged Floro Buenconsejo with violating Presidential Decree 705 or the the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines and RA 9175 (Chain Saw Act of 2002)

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed criminal charges against a man who was arrested for cutting down indigenous trees in Dalaguete town, Cebu.

Alejandro Estopa, officer-in-charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro), charged Floro Buenconsejo with violating Presidential Decree 705 and Republic Act (Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines) and RA 9175 (Chain Saw Act of 2002).

In the complaint filed with the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor, police officers Alan Sanoy and Arnel Calisang said they were conducting an operation against illegal logging on July 3, 2012.

When they reached Barangay Lumbang, Dalaguete, the policemen heard the sound of a chainsaw near the village’s health center.

Eluded arrest They proceeded to the area and saw two people cutting down trees. The policemen ran after them but they eluded arrest.

One of the suspects left the chainsaw they used for cutting trees. The police confiscated the chainsaw.

But for few moments later, Buenconsejo arrived and tried to negotiate with the policemen. He said he instructed the two men to cut down the trees and run if police arrive.

Buenconsejo asked the police to con- fiscate only the lumber but give him back the chainsaw.

Refused

When Insp. Dexter Basirgo, the town’s acting police chief, arrived in the area, Buenconsejo also asked the same thing.

When the policemen refused, Buenconsejo allegedly ran and boarded his motorcycle and fled.

The police seized about 23 pieces of bagalunga (923.33 board feet) valued at P34,099.