Town councilor, two others charged with attempted theft

CEBU, Philippines - Barili town Mayor Teresito Mariñas has filed a criminal complaint for attempted theft against a town councilor and two others for allegedly cutting coconut trees without securing the necessary permit.

Mariñas filed the complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Councilor Hector Celis, Edwin Orosco and Leo Estrada.

The mayor has accused Celis and his two companions of allegedly trying to steal two coconut trees at the back of the town’s library in February 15.

“The cutting of trees is obviously with intent to gain for the reason that the abovementioned culprits did not bother to get permission from the mayor’s office,” Mariñas said.

According to Marinas, Municipal librarian Florence Ngabngaben informed him in February 15 about an on going cutting of coconut trees using a chainsaw.

The mayor said he immediately ordered his public information officer Filomeno Leyson, Jr. to verify the report. Leyson reported to him that he saw councilor Celis, Orosco and Estrada cutting the coconut trees.

Upon the verification, Mariñas said Leyson upon entered the municipal library he saw Orosco, Celis and unidentified chainsaw operator later known as Estrada who participated in cutting of two trees.

Leyson reported the incident to the police station but the suspects were no longer around when the responding policemen arrived in the area.

They however recovered the fallen trees which were left by the suspects. —(FREEMAN)