2 DENR foresters nabbed for alleged extortion in Isabela town

CABAGAN, Isabela –– Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested a forest protection unit chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and his fellow forester after allegedly receiving extortion money.

Timoteo Rejano, chief of NBI-Isabela, said suspects Antonio Aggabao Jr. and Diosdado Medrano were caught receiving P3,000 from Angel Domingo, who claimed that the two DENR employees promised to release his permit to transport wood in exchange for the amount.

Domingo had applied for a permit to transport 110 pieces of Gmelina lumber, about 800 board feet, that were retrieved from felled and uprooted trees at his farm in Barangay Caligayan, Tumauini, Isabela.

The Inquirer tried to get the side of the suspects, but both refused to talk.

The seized evidence was brought to the NBI provincial office for safekeeping while charges of robbery through extortion are being readied against the suspects.

Caption: Photo attached.

Caption: The alleged extortion money worth P3,000 was recovered from two DENR foresters who allegedly asked for the amount before releasing a permit to travel to a complainant. (Photo courtesy of NBI-Isabela)

ZB