3 men to face trial for cutting trees in Cebu forest reserve

PD 705 prohibits the cutting, collection and gathering of timber and other forest products without permit The law also prohibits the unlawful occupation or destruction of forest lands and grazing lands

THREE persons will face trial for allegedly cutting several mahogany trees in the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve.

Cebu City Prosecutor Dixon Fuentes found enough evidence to indict Dondon Maluya, Juvy Pintor and Vicky Pintor with violation of Section 77 of Presidential Decree (PD) 705, or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

The decree prohibits the cutting, collection and gathering of timber and other forest products without permit.It also prohibits the unlawful occupation or destruction of forest lands and grazing lands.

Caught in the act

Bail was set at P16,000 each of the accused, whose case was resolved after they failed to submit their counteraffidavit.

Maluya and company were caught in the act of cutting 92 trees worth P20,606 in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City in April last year by personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

But the accused managed to run away from the authorities.

The forest rangers learned about their illegal activity after informants tipped them off.

Under PD 705, a watershed reservation is defined as a “forest land reservation established to protect or improve the conditions of the water yield and reduce sedimentation.”

It states that any person who enters, occupies, possesses or practices kaingin ( slash and burn) on any forest land or grazing land without permit may be fined P500 to P20,000 or imprisoned from six months to two years.