Anti-illegal logging team in Quezon cited as heroes

LUCENA CITY—The provincial government of Quezon declared members of its environmental enforcement team as heroes in simple rites on Monday following the team’s raid on a key illegal logging site in the province.

During a morning program at the provincial capitol, members of the Quezon Environment Enforcement Group were presented by Gov. David Suarez before provincial government employees as heroes for risking their lives to raid an illegal logging site in General Nakar town and seizing 270 pieces of logs.

“May their bravery in protecting the environment serve as a model for other green warriors of the government,” said the governor.

Team leader Fernando Masaganda, however, said he didn’t think that what he and other team members did was a heroic act. “We’re just doing our duty,” said Masaganda.

Some of the pieces of logs that Masaganda’s team seized would be used to make armchairs and desks for public schools in Quezon.

The logs are believed to have come from the Sierra Madre, where heavily armed logging syndicates operate with impunity.