Brgy captain, 6 men face charges for cutting coconut trees

CEBU, Philippines - For cutting coconut trees, the incumbent barangay captain of Canyuko, Dumanjug, Cebu and six men are facing charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Emiliano Balios, provincial manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Cebu Provincial Office in Mandaue City filed a criminal complaint for violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 8048 or Coconut Preservation Act.

Named respondents were barangay captain Allan Silvester Amadora, chainsaw owner Rolando Silvano, operator Jolito Tigle, Sofronio Gaboc, Silvester Alson and Eleuterio Alson.

Crescencia Macario and Analiza Elas, co-owners of the parcel of agricultural land located at Canyuko said the respondents allegedly helped each other in the illegal cutting of 25 coconut trees.

The parcel of land contains an area of 3,333 square meters more or less.

No permits were issued by the PCA relative to the cutting of trees that would allow respondents.

“Despite verbal complaint raised by us, said persons insisted on cutting the coconut trees. The cutting was made possible upon permission from the incumbent barangay captain Allan Silvester Amadora,” the affidavit reads.

Macario and Elas said the coconut trees were cut on April 7 to April 13, 2013.

“We came to know later that a certain Gaboc, Silvester and Eleuterio sold the coconut trees to Silvano,” the affidavit further reads.

Pictures of illegally cut trees, police report, certification from the PCA-Cebu Provincial Office and sworn statements of other witnesses were attached in the complaint to support the case.— (FREEMAN)