2 "illegal" loggers arrested in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines –  The police in Talisay City and barangay tanods arrested yesterday dawn two alleged illegal loggers for trying to take away 32 timbers allegedly illegally cut from the reforested area in the upland barangay of Manipis, Talisay City.

SPO1 Elmer Saladas, desk officer of Talisay City Police Station, identified the suspects as Sofriono Alcos Jr., 22, single of barangay Tabunok and Prudencio Bua, 22, a native of Bataan, Davao del Norte, but is temporarily residing in Maharlika Subdivision, barangay Bulacao of the same city.

Saladas said the two had three still unidentified companions who escaped arrest.

Based on the initial investigation conducted by the city police, the suspects, on board a multicab (GWV 627) loaded with 32 pieces of "hambabawod," were on their way out of the forest when Manipis barangay chief Joselito Laurente and his six tanods together with members of the city police intercepted them.

"Hambabawod" trees, which used to be abundant in this timberland area of Manipis, are fast decreasing in number because of the large quantities carted away by illegal loggers at night, said Laurente.

Last month, Laurente also seized illegally cut hambabawod timbers being carted away from the mountains.

The barangay chief said hambabawod is a "premium" hard wood commonly used in making fashion accessories.

He said this is the second arrest they have made this year, and fourth including the two last year. Laurente had earlier appealed to the city and to the police to post vanguards in the area because of the incessant illegal logging there, to protect the city's wide expanse of timberland which is already "balding."

He also fears for landslides this rainy season.

In the past few days, evidence of loose soil and rocks is showing.

The barangay, which has 2,000 hectares of timberland, has already been declared by the City Disaster Coordinating Council as one of the flood-prone areas of Talisay.   (FREEMAN NEWS)