DENR 11, Army collaborate against illegal logging

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) and the Philippine Army (PA) discussed some strategies to totally eliminate illegal logging/cutting of trees and to finalize schedules to operate in the identified hot spots for illegal logging in the region during yesterday’s (august 7, 2013) monthly meeting of the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (RAILTF).
DENR 11 Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada and Major General Ariel Bernardo of the 10th ID/PA spearheaded the said meeting attended by all DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers, staff of the Forest Resources Conservation Division, some PA officers and a Philippine National Police representative PSupt. Federico Dulay, Sr.
Aside from the discussions on issues and concerns, each DENR provincial officers presented their anti-illegal logging accomplishments in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
In his message to the participants, Gen. Bernardo stressed that the partnership between the DENR and the PA in Region XI should go beyond just partnership thus action and necessary interventions have to be done to reach the common goal of totally eliminating illegal logging activities.
Bernardo further said that the AFP is here “to fully support because we know that this effort can eventually help us all abate the effects of climate change. We need to do some actions to have outputs,” he added.
On the other hand, Director Fragada encouraged all DENR field officers to be very vigilant and closely coordinate with the PA. He mentioned that illegal loggers and timber poachers are now using some desperate measures to skip the forestry law enforcers by citing the incident last July 2013 where a Bus with plate number LXA-651 was utilized to transport 111 pieces lumber with a total volume of 3.30 cu.m. in Maniki, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
“It is imperative that we use our knowledge as well as experiences and modify our tactics to effectively stop forest destruction in the region. Let us make everyone know that our position is unassailable”, Fragada said.
The creation of the RAILTF is spelled out under Executive Order No. 23 (E.O. 23) or the Moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of trees in the natural and residual forests.
Through E.O. 23 and Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force Resolution No. 2012-005, the anti-illegal logging efforts on Mindanao was converted from civilian operations into an active military operation. The Department of National Defense (DND) through the AFP, will lead the anti-illegal logging operations in Mindanao, including but not limited to confiscation of illegally-cut logs/lumber and apprehension of violators. [Bing Cordova/DENR 11]

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