DENR to file criminal charges vs hikers in Mt. Pulag fire
Park manager Teber Dinisio said a criminal complaint is being readied against the hiker. Bureau of Fire Protection
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday said it is preparing criminal charges against seven hikers who were behind the blaze that destroyed more than five hectares of grassland of Mt. Pulag.
The Protected Areas Management Board for Mt. Pulag has indefinitely suspended all hiking and trekking activities on Luzon’s highest peak after a bush fire on Saturday night razed around 1.5 hectares of the mountain’s grassland.
The DENR said an initial investigation revealed that the blaze was caused by an explosion from a butane gas stove brought by “a group of hikers from Cebu.”
The agency said the group violated the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act and the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
To prevent a repeat of the incident, the DENR said it is planning to impose additional requirements for hikers wanting to climb Mt. Pulag.
An open area will be designated for cooking. Meanwhile, overnight campers will be required to bring along with them portable fire extinguishers.
Mt. Pulag, at over 2,900 meters above sea level, is the third highest peak in the Philippines and is classified as a critical biodiversity area because of its rich plant and animal life.
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