JVR defends brod vs logging allegation

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes defended his brother who was reported to have been involved in the alleged cutting of eight mahogany trees in a timberland area in Sitio Campensa, Barangay Manipis.

This as the mayor’s brother, Joel, came out the other day to deny the charges raised against him and seven others by City Councilor Antonio "Jojo" Bacaltos, pointing them responsible in the “illegal” cutting of trees.

"I confronted my brother and he denied it. Grabe naman pud, bisan pagduol lang nako ug iya kung gipangutana kabahin sa maong pagpamutol, wala gyud. It's trial by publicity made by him (Bacaltos)," the mayor said.

As a consequence of the councilor’s action, De los Reyes sent a memorandum to Bacaltos informing him that his job order's quota will be cut down from 20 to five personnel.

The whole tree cutting issue stemmed from a complaint lodged at Bacaltos’ office by Leo Togonon, who happened to be the president of Agri-based Rural Technology on Hilly Upland Resources, pointing the cutting of trees in the watershed's premises.

The cutting was reportedly made within the Osmeña reforestation area, one of the oldest plantations in the country located in Manipis.

But Joel insisted that he had no knowledge in the cutting of trees in Manipis.

"I vehemently deny the allegations against me. I have no knowledge about that," Joel told The FREEMAN. He added that he is the motorpool operator in the city, and not a certain Wilfredo, as earlier stated by the investigation report made by Bacaltos and DENR.

"Wala mi igsoon nga Wilfredo De los Reyes pero ako lang gusto i-clear akong name kay motorpool head man kuno, unya wala ma'y laing De los Reyes nga head sa motorpool kun dili ako ra man," he said.

Joel admitted that he went to Manipis to supervise the water reservoir project that was undertaken by the mayor, and not to cut trees.

DENR public information officer Dr. Eddie Llamedo said they are now verifying whether “Wilfredo De los Reyes” is Joel De los Reyes.

"I'm checking it with our field investigators. Basin nasayop lang," Llamedo said.

Bacaltos said he is happy that DENR is taking action on the complaint. Bacaltos did not regret exposing the alleged illegal activity done in Manipis.

"Wala ko nagmahay sa akong gihimo kay unsa ma'y pulos sa pagpili nila kanako kung dili nako trabaho-an," Bacaltos, chairman of the committee on environment and natural resources, said.

The city is now looking for the whereabouts of the big, decades-old mahogany trees that were reportedly cut down. (FREEMAN)