Illegal loggers shoot, hurt 2 forest rangers in Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS- Two forest guards commissioned by the National Power Corp. to protect the Angat Watershed were shot and wounded by suspected illegal loggers on Wednesday night (Mar. 7) in Donya Remedios Trinidad town.

Elpidio Molina and Elmer Tinaypan were resting after work in Barangay (village) Kabayunan when they were attacked, said Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police director.

The two forest guards were taken to the nearest hospital.

The police are checking reports that the suspects were targeting members of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, which have operated against logging sites in the watershed.

Last week, the Dumagat Bantay Kagubatan office in the City of San Jose Del Monte reported being threatened by a man who claimed they were occupying a private property./lb