PNP ups campaign vs private armies, logging

By Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -  Ilocos Region police director Chief Supt. Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu, has ordered  his provincial directors to intensify campaign against Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and illegal cutting of trees.

Bucayu said police will strengthen their commitment with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and draw clear-cut policies and procedures on anti-illegal logging and identify target personalities and protectors as well.

 “Although we had an existing memorandum of agreement with DENR, we need to clear all issues and concerns with our counterparts of the agency on our powers and role in the PNP as well as our extent of liability in case of procedural flaws and lapses,” said Bucayu.

Bucayu also scheduled an inter-agency meeting with the DENR on August 20 and seminars and lectures will soon follow to come up with on how to intensify their campaign on forest protection.

Citing Presidential Decree 705, Bucayo said the DENR can deputize PNP personnel to assist them in enforcing the law on illegal logging.

However, all logs that are seized and confiscated shall be turned over to the DENR which has also the sole authority to file cases.

Meanwhile, aside from illegal logging, PRO1 will also intensify its campaign on PAGs as part of the preparation for the upcoming 2013 elections.