Outrageous! LGU Officials Tagged in Mining Inside Mt. Apo Protected Area

Today, I received a report that a team from the Department of Enviroment and Natural Resources uncovered illegal mining operations and cutting of hardwood inside the Mt. Apo Protected Area in Barangay Don Panaca, Magpet, North Cotabato.

What makes this discovery totally outrageous was the confirmation that local officials, allegedly protected by Army soldiers, are behind the mining and clearing operations inside one the last remaining forest areas of Mindanao.

The initial report also said that the poachers have started planting bananas in the areas cleared of natural growing trees.

I have directed officials of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to coordinate with the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau to get to the bottom of this.

A report will be submitted to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte so that the encroachment into the Mt. Apo Forest Reserves will be stopped immediately.

#AnoToBantaySalakay?

#KayaTayoBinabaha!

(Photos were taken by operatives of the DENR MGB.)