A police outpost is now operating in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, to assist the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the enforcement of forestry laws, after the killing of a forest ranger at the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park area last month.

Forest ranger Mar Sarcino, who was actively involved in the protection of MKNP from poachers, was shot by a still unidentified gunman in the place and died on Nov. 2, almost four days later.

Sarcino’s colleagues also received death threats from suspected poachers at the park, police investigations show.

The establishment of a Community Police Assistance Center in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, that forms part of MKNP, was decided on at orrecent meeting of the Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center in La Castellana, presided over by Mayor Alberto Nicor.

It was blessed on Dec. 7 by Fr. Rembert Rivera, and present were Nicor, Vice-Mayor Felix Feria IV, Supt. Jefferson Descallar, Senior Inspector Gary Alan Resuma, barangay officials and tanods, who will assist the policemen stationed at the outpost.

DENR records show that two barangay kagawads in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona, who are actively involved in the forest protection program, and a member of the Bantay Bukid Brigade in Victorias City, have been killed since 2010, and they said the incidents are job-related.

After the activity, Resuma said that Descallar, chief of the NOPPO Operations Branch, also met with, and briefed members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams on their duties and responsibilities.

Descallar, assisted by Resuma, also distributed certificates of commendation to BPAT members Richard Binarao, Antonio Tornea, Jacinto Lebron, Andy Dahili ,Micheal Palis and Emelio Lampaso,all of Sitio Asay, Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, who responded and helped in the transport of five victims in the place on Nov. 28.*GPB

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