Illegal
Logging destroys 6 hectares of forest in Lamitan City
by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, BASILAN – a Six hectare
land of trees was discovered destroyed in the forested area of Lamitan City,
tagging the notorious lawless group Abu Sayyafs as perpetrators.
Following information received by the City
Government of Lamitan, Mayor Roderick Furigay immediately instructed the Office
of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) to check on alleged mass
illegal cutting of trees at the reforested area of Lamitan “water shed” in Upper
Arco, this city.
The OCENR, together with the military and the
police proceeded to the area to verify the information and were surprised and
so disgusted to see that more than 6 hectares of trees that include
mahogany, acacia, gemelina, and narra were destroyed.
The village chief of Barangay Arco, Edgardo Alipio
alleged that a certain Delos Reyes who is a former member of the Citizens Armed
Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Basilan allegedly masterminded the cutting
of trees in the area together with some alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group
from Sumisip and Tipo-Tipo municipalities.
Barangay Arco lays at the boundary of Lamitan
from the Sampinit Complex, a known lair of the bandit group linked with both
the Al-Qaeda and its Asian cell, the Jemaah Islamiya. The Sampinit Complex
is a mountain range at the boundaries of Tuburan, Tipo-Tipo, Sumisip, Lantawan,
and Maluso towns, and Lamitan and Isabela cities.
During the inspection, authorities made no
arrest as no individual was found in the area. The military immediately burned
all huts, which possibly serve as resting place of the group.
Barangay chairman Alipio has requested from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to establish checkpoint or detachment in the area.
“This will prevent lawless group from getting
back to the ‘water shed’ area and continue their illegal activities,” he said.
Sources said the Abu Sayyaf is determined to destroy all trees near the ‘water shed’ area since they are planning to plant rubber trees. The bandit group also alleged that the reforestation was made in their territory.
Mayor Furigay, meanwhile, has directed all agencies to intensify their campaign against illegal logging following a directive from no less than President Benigno Aquino III to curb all illegal logging activities that destroys the forest. (JPA/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)
