Operation vs. 'Illegal Quarry'

CEBU - PENRO apprehends truck loaded with sand in Lacion. The dump truck used to haul limestone from a road project in the town of Consolacion was apprehended last Thursday afternoon by members of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.

The truck was a white Isuzu Elf with plate number JCG-754 loaded with sand hauled form barangay Danglag.

The vehicle was driven by Zoilo Bontuyan, a resident of barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu city.

It was rented from Conley Uy of Mandaue City by Mayor Avelino Gungob, Sr., who allegedly initiated the quarrying activities in the said municipality.

The vehicle was apprehended by PENRO officials Azmir Garcia, Julius Colinares, and Jaime Villanueva at a checkpoint.

They arrested Bontuyan for violation of Provincial Ordinance Number 2008-10 for hauling of sand without delivery receipts.

Mayor Gungob’s daughter, who is allegedly a municipal staff, later came to the area and talked with the PENRO personnel.

Supt. Erson Digal, deputy provincial director, said that the mayor’s daughter was advised to go to the CPPO to address the matter.

Digal said that with the checkpoints set at barangays Lamac and Danglag, the quarrying operations lied low.

He said that the truck was the first that was apprehended since the checkpoints were set up last Wednesday morning.

Confiscated items including a spare tire and the key were deposited to the Cebu Provincial Police Office as ordered by Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Bontuyan was brought by the PENRO personnel to their office while the truck has been impounded.

Elements of the CPPO and the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion were sent to the area to provide security to the personnel of PENRO. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)