Suspended village chief under fire anew over ‘hot logs’

PEÑARANDA, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – Authorities seized here on Friday a truck loaded with illegally cut logs reportedly owned by a village chief from a nearby town who was suspended for involvement in illegal logging.

The 60 hardwood logs, measuring a total of 789.9 board feet, was intercepted in Barangay Callos at around 3:30 p.m. according to Col. Felimon Santos, chief of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade.

The logs were loaded on a Foton truck (NKO-922) driven by Jhun Cabildo, who failed to present documents for his cargo.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources officer Ricardo Lazaro Jr. said the truck and the logs were deposited at the DENR nursery in Cabanatuan City.

Records from the Land Registration Office showed the vehicle was registered in the name of Roberto Fernandez, barangay chairman of Pias in Gen. Tinio town.

Gen. Tinio Vice Mayor Ferdinand Bote said Fernandez was earlier suspended for six months by the municipal council for involvement in illegal logging.