Mayor, hubby face illegal logging raps

BACOLOD CITY — Illegal logging charges have been filed against the mayor of Don Salvador Bene—dicto town and her husband, along with 17 others, for the cutting of 130,548 cubic meters of naturally grown trees worth P1.66 million in a forest reserve in the municipality.

Named respondents in the complaint filed by community environment and natural resources officer Severino Llamas with the provincial prosecutor’s office were Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz and her husband, former mayor Nehemias de la Cruz.

Raoul Geollegue, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the investigation into illegal logging in Don Salvador Benedicto will continue and that more charges may be filed. — Antonieta Lopez