NBI starts probe on DENR official’s slay

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own investigation into killing of a community environment and natural resources officer in Quirino province early this month.

Lawyer Hector Eduard Geologo, NBI director for Cagayan Valley, said they are also having their own separate probe as to who could be behind the killing of forester Alfredo Almueda, 59, whom colleagues described as a “top-performer” CENRO of Maddela, Quirino. 

Almueda was shot dead in his service pick-up while he and two of his men were manning a checkpoint in Barangay Villa Sur, Maddela town before dawn of Jan. 1.

Almueda reportedly had to leave his drinking buddies in a New Year celebration after receiving a text message that illegally cut lumber would be transported in his jurisdiction.

Aside from the work-related angle, authorities are reportedly also looking into a supposed love triangle as having something to do with the killing. The authorities, however, declined to elaborate on this.

“We are not closing our doors. We are considering all other possibilities, including job-related and personal motives,” Geologo said. 

Earlier, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje called on the police to get the killers of Almueda, saying the slay demonstrates the “ruthlessness of those responsible for the rape and destruction of our forests.” 

Almueda’s colleagues in the region led by Benjamin Tumaliaun, DENR regional executive director, condemned the incident, which came a year after another co-worker, forest specialist MelaniaDirain, was shot dead in her office in Cagayan.