Illegal logging syndicate tagged in attacks vs NE forester

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines  â€“ A syndicate engaged in illegal logging in identified “hotspots” in Nueva Ecija has been tagged in the twin attempts on the life of a forester of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the province.

Leovino Ignacio, DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer, said a syndicate operating in Bongabon town could be behind the attacks on Edgardo Luna.

De Luna, 49, of Barangay Bantug Bulalo here, was shot in the back of his neck by two motorcycle-riding men in Purok Camalig, Barangay Bangad this city last June 14.

De Luna was driving his motorcycle on his way home when he was attacked.

It was the second slay attempt on De Luna who was also shot by last May 23 while he was aboard a passenger jeep in Barangay Bitas here.

Ignacio said De Luna might have angered the syndicate operating in Bongabon town following a series of successful anti-illegal logging operations there.

“This is a big syndicate,” he said, adding many have been hurt by the DENR’s campaign against illegal logging, of which De Luna is in the forefront, particularly in Bongabon.

Ignacio said the intensified campaign against illegal loggers was earlier ordered by DENR regional executive director Maximo Dichoso, targeting Bongabon and other hotspots such as the towns of Carranglan, Gabaldon, Gen. Tinio, Laur, and Pantabangan.

Earlier, De Luna led a DENR team in confiscating 1,000 board feet of wood from the owner of a furniture shop in Barangay Antipolo, Bongabon.

Ignacio called on local government officials in the illegal logging hotspots to help out in the DENR campaign.

“If they would just help us, I see no reason why our campaign won’t succeed,” he said.

Juan Fernandez Jr., DENR community environment and natural resources officer for central Nueva Ecija based in Talavera town, has asked Ignacio to provide forest rangers with firearms in their fight against illegal loggers.