Controversial environment exec in Aurora finally sacked

DINGALAN, Aurora — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes has finally relieved this town’s controversial community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO), whose continued stay in office amid widespread criticisms had triggered speculations that he was an "untouchable."

Undersecretary Teresita Samson Castillo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told The STAR that Reyes has signed Special Order 200-864 dated Oct. 12 ordering the relief of Reynaldo Astudillo, CENRO officer-in-charge of this town.

The non-enforcement of an earlier order relieving Astudillo from his post had angered Sen. Edgardo Angara and his younger sister, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

Castillo said the new order superseded DENR Special Order 2006-447 dated last May 22, which Castillo signed in Reyes’ behalf, but which was put off indefinitely.

Astudillo had been under fire for allegedly failing to contain illegal logging in his jurisdiction and refusing to attend the hearings of the municipal council and the provincial board.

Under Special Order 200-864, Astudillo was re-assigned to his mother unit, the Forest Management Bureau (FMB). His predecessor, Meliton Vicente, CENRO of San Rafael, Bulacan, would re-assume the position.

Astudillo’s re-assignment, according to the order, was "in the interest of the service and in view of the continuing reorganization in the DENR."

A few months ago, Angara-Castillo scolded Dingalan officials right during their foundation day over reports that illegal logging persisted in their town after a truckload of "hot logs" was intercepted while being escorted by a municipal official whom she did not identify, reportedly in cahoots with a DENR official.

This prompted local officials to summon Astudillo to a hearing of the municipal council but he failed to appear at least thrice for unknown reasons.