CEBU, Philippines - A joint team under the Cebu provincial government pounced on four trucks that carried illegally hauled sands, limestone and gravels in Liloan town last Tuesday.
Jeoffrey Merencillo, head of the Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing task force, said the figure added to 13 the number of trucks they apprehended since two weeks ago after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered them to join other teams against illegal quarrying.
While apprehending trucks which carry blasted fish, Merencillo said they also apprehended the drivers of Mitsubishi Canter, Fuso Fighter, Isuzu Elf and Isuzu Forward for hauling the quarry products without delivery receipts.
The drivers – identified as Antonio Caparoso, Jovito Dumasig, Jeffrey Lucernas, and Michael Doble – were penalized with at least P10,000 each for violating the anti-quarry ordinance, Merencillo said.
The trucks came from the northern part of the province and were bound for Mandaue City.
Merencillo said that Garcia is intensifying the campaign against illegal quarrying, which had caused huge flooding and landslides in different towns.
The two other agencies that are going after illegal haulers are the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, which issues the permit.
The Capitol has already collected almost a fine of P180,000 from the violators. – (FREEMAN)