Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday assured utmost cooperation in any investigations, linking soldiers and government militiamen to timber poaching in Negros Occidental.

Lactao said they will conduct parallel probes and that he has instructed the command investigating officer to coordinate with Task Force Ilahas.

TFI executive officer Jose Ma. Valencia said they have received reports about the involvement of CAFGU personnel in the hauling of sliced timber of the premium species of trees in a town in the first district of Negros Occidental that may have the blessing of their Army handlers.

TFI investigations showed that the timber is being sold to well-off personalities who are constructing rest houses in the hinterlands of the town.

If not controlled soonest, this may influence residents in the area to cooperate with their illegal activities, Supt. Armando Tubongbanua, TFI action officer, said in his report to Valencia.

Tubongbanua said witnesses are afraid to execute sworn statements on the alleged involvement of CAFGU personnel.

Lactao called on those who may know something about the involvement of soldiers and militiamen in illegal activities, to get in touch with him, stressing that he will not allow any wrongdoings under his command.    If they are found to be liable, appropriate punishment will be meted to them, he added.

Valencia, who is also the chief of staff of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., and the Provincial Legal Officer, said they will coordinate with their counterpart in Negros Oriental, to jointly investigate the alleged involvement of government officials in illegal logging activities in southern Negros.

He said illegal logging is rampant in the Damutan Valley in Hinobaan, with poachers getting away with it because they haul their timber down in the Negros Oriental side.

About 80,000 board feet of red lauan trees were cut by poachers in Damutan Valley in Hinobaan, and several cutting sites were discovered by TFI operatives last year.

The 300-hectare “wilderness” of Brgy. Damutan, Hinobaan had been left untouched by the Insular Lumber Company, a foreign logging company, to serve as a wildlife habitat.

Poachers reportedly took advantage of the absence of government authorities and Bantay Bukid members in the area, which is not accessible to motor vehicles. TFI investigations also showed that these poachers came from Basay in Negros Oriental.*GPB

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