Resurgence of illegal logging in Caraga deplored

TRENTO, Agusan del Sur — This is another wake-up call to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Sagip Kalikasan Task Force headed by retired Gen. Alfonso Dagudag: illegal logging is back with a vengeance in the Caraga region.

Alfredo Reyes, chairman of the Citizens Log Watch, revealed that illegal loggers have been massively transporting "hot" logs and lumber to all points in Mindanao.

Among the latest apprehensions, he said, were two 10-wheeler trucks and one container van held by the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur last July 7.

In a signed affidavit, Concordio Ocite, owner of the two trucks, said he was hired allegedly by a certain Rex Narvasa and James Plaza to deliver the lauan flitches and lumber from Barangay Anoling, also in Rosario town, to Barangay Bayugan 3, after which they would be transferred to container vans for delivery to Davao City.

Ocite said it was the third time that Narvasa and Plaza had allegedly hired him. The first and second haulings came from Barangay Cabawan in Rosario town and were delivered to Barangay Bayugan 3.

It was during the third hauling last July 7 when elements of the 36th IB arrived at the scene to ask for the documents for the lumber’s transport, Ocite said.

He, however, told the Army men that he had no papers and that he was only hired allegedly by Narvasa.

Reyes said that up to now, Narvasa and Plaza have not showed up to claim the confiscated van and cargo worth P300,000.

Reyes lamented that even if Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor has ordered Narvasa and Plaza prosecuted, together with some local government officials and their relatives, these people are still at large and continue to allegedly engage in illegal logging and log trafficking.