Military to go after forestry violators in Central Mindanao

Koronadal City — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here has sought the help of military troops in neutralizing forestry violators in Central Mindanao following the reported shipment of 30,000 board feet of illegally-cut forest products from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat to Cotabato City.

"We believe in the capacity of our military troops to neutralize forestry violators operating in some parts of the region. That’s why we tapped them. Destruction of our forests must be stopped," Jim Sampulna, DENR-Central Mindanao Regional Executive Director, said.

Sampulna said he already sent a letter to Major General Generoso Senga, commanding-general of the 6th Infantry Divison (ID) based in Camp Siongco, Awang, Maguindanao.

Sampulna urged Senga to include Palimbang and Bagumbayan, all located in Sultan Kudarat, and the boundary of Pigcawayan and Buldon in Cotabato and Maguindanao, respectively, in his order of battle against forestry violators.

He said a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is now being prepared to be signed later by the DENR and the 6th ID commanding general. In the meantime, Sampulna has authorized military troops to "apprehend all illegally-cut timber and other minor forest products" in areas identified by DENR as "hotspots."

Meanwhile, Sampulna said the initial investigation conducted by the DENR probe team on the alleged shipment of the said 30,000 board feet (reportedly worth P4 million) of illegally-cut forest products from Palimbang town to Cotabato City yielded a negative result.

He said the lumber shipment referred to in the report may be the same lumber seized by DENR’s deputized elements last June 16. — Ramil Bajo