Sympathy for loggers out of line

Despite being exposed in this space, illegal loggers continue to operate in Davao Oriental, with contraband logs coming down from the mountains, said to be the work of prominent politicians in the province.

The logs are unloaded in Barangay Holy Cross in Manay town, where Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang of the First District used to be mayor, for transport to other places.

Trucks loaded with illegal logs pass through the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Barangay San Ignacio, Manay.

Why do DENR personnel in San Ignacio look the other way when the trucks pass by?

This answer came from a Davao Oriental resident: “Kay pigahatagan ng suborno ang mga DENR sa Manay asta lain na lugar sa kanato probinsiya (Because bribes are given to the DENR in Manay and other places in our province).”

In Saturday’s On Target, I  quoted my sister Wanda as saying Gov. Corazon Malanyaon shed copious tears when I accused her—as well as Dayanghirang and  Cateel Mayor Camilo Nunez—as being involved in illegal logging.

To quote Wanda again: “Cora is devastated to the point of questioning her faith in God. She really cried hard and poured out her sentiments to our friend Peluchi.”

Wanda, those were crocodile tears. Arte lang yun! (She was just play-acting!)

As to her questioning her faith in God, did Malanyaon ever think of God when she, Dayanghirang and Nuñez were reportedly ordering the indiscriminate cutting of trees in the mountains of Baganga and Cateel?

A tree is God’s creation and cutting it down is like destroying one of His creations.

I am appalled at how my sister Wanda can sympathize with illegal loggers and not with the suffering people in those towns.

Their actions have not only caused massive floods and left many families homeless in Baganga and Cateel, but countless deaths as well.

The illegal logs rolled down the mountains and floated in the swollen rivers, bulldozing bridges and houses in the way of the rampaging floodwaters.

The runaway logs killed hundreds of people.

Sympathizing with illegal loggers is like sympathizing with criminals.

*   *   *

I am surprised why Malacañang continues to play deaf to my accusations of illegal logging against Dayanghirang, Malanyaon and Nuñez.

Is it because I haven’t produced evidence? I’ve already pointed out a crime; it’s now the government’s turn to gather evidence.

Sure, nobody in Davao Oriental has come out to denounce the unholy alliance, but this is understandable.

Prudence is the better part of valor because the illegal loggers are said to be protected by armed goons.

May I suggest that the President order the National Bureau of Investigation to look into my allegations.