MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the City Hall police detachment to conduct an independent investigation of the controversial tree-cutting incident at Plaza Roma in Intramuros.

Sr. Insp. Marcelo Reyes, chief of the investigation and follow-up branch of the District Special Project Unit, said that although the city government recognized that Intramuros was a separate entity, the mayor was concerned about the unnecessary felling of trees, including narra and mahogany, on Aug. 25 by the Intramuros Administration.

The IA, created by Presidential Decree 1616, has jurisdiction over the historic area, also referred to as Walled City.

“Since Intramuros is within the territorial jurisdiction of Manila, the mayor believes we should know something about it. We are still in the process of collating evidence such as the bidding contract and the rehabilitation plan. I have talked to the wife of contractor Fernando Simborio who said they really intended to ball the trees,” Reyes told the Inquirer.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said earlier it could file charges against Intramuros administrator Anna Maria “Bambi” Harper for violating the permit they gave. In a statement, the DENR said it had issued a notice of violation and gave Harper seven days to explain why no charges should be filed against her.

If found guilty, Harper could face a two-year imprisonment term or a P5,000 fine, or both, said Corazon Davis, executive director of the DENR in Metro Manila.

The DENR is also looking into the liability of the contractor hired by the IA, and owner of the chainsaw used to cut the trees.

Harper blamed the contractor – Green Philippine Nursery Plant – and said she did not order them to do work beyond what the permit stated. The IA got a permit in May to cut certain trees in the plaza fronting the Manila Cathedral for a landscaping project.

Eight narra and two mahogany trees were recommended for balling while 17 trees consisting of nine neem trees, six mango trees, one jackfruit tree, and one atis tree were recommended for cutting by the DENR. The department alleged 29 trees were cut.

Reyes, however, said his visual inspection showed only 17, not 29, trees were cut. He added that based on the results of the probe, the city government might file appropriate charges.

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza advised Harper Thursday to hire the best lawyer to defend herself.

Atienza said Harper would be held liable under the principle of command responsibility.

He said, “She (Harper) should tell the truth. Unless she can extricate herself from command responsibility somebody has to answer for those illegally cut trees or massacred trees.”

Harper, a staunch environmentalist, has apologized for the cutting of the trees.

Presidential Decree 953 penalizes the unauthorized cutting, destruction, damaging and injuring of certain trees, plants and vegetation.

Atienza shrugged off Harper’s claim that the filing of charges against her was “politically motivated” since she opposed Atienza’s order when he was then Manila mayor to cut down trees in Arroceros Park and Mehan Garden.