24 illegally cut mangrove trees found in Brooke's Point
Environment authorities recovered some 24 illegally cut mangrove trees Monday at the edge of a river in Brooke’s Point. Forest Ranger 1 Arthur Demerin, chief of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office’ (MENRO) Natural Resources Section in the town, said a concerned citizen who found the illegally cut mangroves in Barangay Barong-Barong reported it to them on October 22. Demerin said there were around 80 logs found in the area, but only 24 abandoned logs were confirmed to be mangrove trees. “More or less 80 pieces na poles. Ang 24 confirmed na bakaw (mangrove) talaga,” he said. He said the logs are now in the custody of Barong-Barong. The MENRO, Demerin said, is now looking for the owner of the mangrove poles as he faces charges for violation of Section 68 of Presidential Decree 705 “for the illegal cutting, gathering and/or collecting timber or other forest products without permits.” He said they are working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR) and the municipal police station (MPS) of Brooke’s Point in fighting the illegal activity in Brooke’s Point. “Mahigpit kami ngayon na nagpapatupad lalung-lalo na ang ordinansa natin sa environment dito sa nasasakupan ng Brooke’s Point. Ang masasabi ko sa kanila, hangga’t gumagawa sila ng illegal, andiyan kami patuloy naming susugpuin sila sa kahit saang aspeto. Andiyan ang DENR na sumusuporta sa tuwing mag-a-apprehend kami, lalung-lalo na ang PNP station natin para mapanatili rin ang kaligtasan namin sa operation,” Demerin said.