Reward for arrest of tree poachers

A local government unit is offering a P10,000 reward for any information that may lead to the arrest of poachers, some of whom recently managed to cut two centuryJold lauan trees in Sitio Wilderness, Barangay Damutan, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.

Hinobaan Mayor Ernesto Estrao yesterday said that the poachers managed to escape when authorities arrived to check on the reported cutting of trees inside the wilderness area, which is home to the endangered species of trees and wildlife.

While they have 30 Bantay Lasang members in the vicinity of the area, Estrao said they have to coordinate first with the police and Task Force Ilahas before going to the area, as timber poachers are also armed with guns.

The 300Jhectare virgin forest of Sitio Wilderness in Barangay Damutan, about 60 kilometers away from the Hinobaan poblacion, has been deliberately left untouched by the Insular Lumber Co. to serve as a wildlife habitat. Only 14 hectares of the wilderness area are covered with trees as of this time.

Estrao said the fleeing poachers left behind the newly-cut lauan trees. It was not determined yet how many board feet had been cut.

Task Force Ilahas executive officer Jose Ma. Valencia yesterday said that they will further enhance the security of the wilderness area, by providing monthly allowance of P3,000 to P4,000 a month to residents in the area, who previously volunteered to help the provincial government in the preservation of the wilderness area.

The massive cutting of endangered trees at the wilderness area was first discovered in 2009, and about 500,000 board feet of lumber and timber were reported to have been taken from the area, using the eñit points in the Negros Oriental side.

Estrao recalled that there were instances where armed poachers traded shots with policemen in the wilderness area.

Investigation of the Hinobaan municipal government showed that the poachers also hired some locals in the area, and transported the timber via carabao sled to Bagatban River towards Bayawan, Negros Oriental.

Estrao said he will recommend the retrieval of the newlyJcut timber for use by the Department of Education in Hinobaan. —