Aquino lashes out at Agusan Sur officials over illegal logging

FILE PHOTO

DANAO CITY, Cebu – Six mayors from Agusan Del Sur have been asked to explain why no administrative sanctions should be leveled against them in connection with continued illegal logging in their respective jurisdictions, President Benigno Aquino III said here on Saturday.

In a speech underlining the importance of having able partners at the local level, Aquino said the provincial director and a city director and six municipal chiefs of police were also relieved of their posts in line with the anti-logging campaign.

“You didn’t take me seriously, you challenged me,” the President said of the mayors and the police officials who were thus being held accountable.

He added that there were also 31 environment officers that were relieved from their posts.

Aquino made the speech during the coalition agreement signing between the Liberal Party and the Bakud party of the Durano family.

It was Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo who later said the actions were against officials in Agusan Del Sur.

“This is a continuing effort,” Robredo said.