Illegal coco lumber trade seen in slay of PCA exec

LUCENA CITY—Authorities are investigating the possible link between rampant illegal coconut lumber trading in Quezon and the killing of a top Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) official in the province.

Necitas Pujanes, 62, was killed on Tuesday by motorcycle-riding suspects on a national highway here as he drove his way to work. Police said a .45 caliber pistol was used to kill Pujanes.

His killing came on the same day that police in the province launched a campaign against motorcycle crimes.

Ed de Luna, former PCA Calabarzon director, said the killing of Pujanes, could be related to the illegal coconut lumber trade in Quezon.

“That is one angle worth pursuing,” De Luna said by phone on Wednesday.

De Luna said syndicates involved in the illegal coco lumber trade “have a history of violence against anyone who gets on their way.”

The former PCA official said he, too, received several death threats during his tenure as PCA regional director during which a campaign against illegal coco lumber trading was ongoing.

Joselito Alcantara, current PCA Calabarzon head, said he, too, has been receiving death threats believed related to the illegal coco lumber trade.

In 2008, radio broadcaster Bert Sison was also killed in an ambush perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men. Sison’s commentaries against illegal coco lumber syndicates could be the reason for the killing, police had said.