Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — Authorities are on the hunt for loggers in Cagayan province who earlier attacked local police officers conducting anti-illegal logging operations, the Philippine National Police said on Saturday.
PNP Chief Gen. Debold Sinas gave the order after receiving reports that one officer was injured by armed loggers in Sitio Dalayat, Barangay Minanga in Lagum, Peñablanca, on Thursday evening, according to a police statement. It added that the officer was immediately brought to a hospital.
Police said one of the attackers was apprehended. Ernest Sibbaluca, who had previous records for violating environmental laws, is now facing charges for assault upon an agent of authority and frustrated murder.
The incident comes as the Department of the Interior and Local Government released a statement on joining forces with environment officials to crack down on illegal logging in the country, which is being blamed for the massive flooding that devastated Cagayan and Isabela this month.
From January to October this year, the PNP had conducted 6,710 anti-illegal logging operations and arrested 3,336 violators, the agency said.
