Quarry operator faces raps for illegal timber

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Oriental on Friday filed charges of possession of illegally-cut trees against a limestone quarrying operator in Basay town of this province.

Mario Aragon, chief of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, identified the suspect as Charlito Ib-Ib who was arrested by law enforcers on February 15 at Brgy. Cabalayongan in Basay where at least 20 cubic meters of illegally-cut trees, of various species, were found in the latter's stockyard.

Aragon said Ib-Ib defended that he has been using the cut trees for firewood to operate his limestone business, but then he has no license to possess such items in his property, in violation of the law.

Ib-Ib has limestone quarrying permits from both the DENR and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau but then the stockpile of cut trees have no legal papers to support his possession of such, Aragon alleged. (FREEMAN)