Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 12) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has denounced the reported illegal arrest and police brutality endured by a team of environmental law enforcers in the hands of Puerto Princesa City police on Wednesday.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said he is “furious” and demanding a “swift resolution of the case” involving Puerto Princesa City Police Director Col. Marion Balonglong and his men.
“It is totally unacceptable that these environmental enforcers who continue to perform their duties despite the COVID-19 pandemic have to suffer violence at the hands of the police, who should be assisting them in their operations,” Cimatu said in a statement issued on Friday.
The Puerto Princesa City police director reportedly arrested and held at gunpoint eight employees of the DENR and two others, who were doing their field work at a coastal village at Barangay Iwahig in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on June 10.
According to reports, the DENR personnel were conducting an investigation on the illegal occupation and massive mangrove cutting at Sitio Bucana when they were intercepted by Balonglong and his men.
Balonglong allegedly kicked and punched at gunpoint one of the forest rangers identified as Roldan Alvarez.
The environmentalists were reportedly brought later to the police station in Barangay San Pedro, and were released following a dialogue between Balonglong and Felizardo Cayatoc, an officer of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), who approved the DENR operation.
When queried about the incident, Philippine National Police spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac told CNN Philippines that investigators are still obtaining an official report from the police regional office in MIMAROPA regarding the case.
Cimatu said he has forwarded the matter to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año, who has supervisory authority over the PNP.
“As much as I’m furious at what happened to my men, I hope this incident won’t affect the cordial relationship and collaborative partnership the DENR has with the PNP in the fight against environmental crime,” Cimatu said.
