Sinas backs Gwen’s order vs quarrying

CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Brigadier General Debold Sinas said he already ordered his provincial director in Cebu to monitor quarry-heavy areas such as Toledo City and the towns of Asturias and Balamban following Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s memorandum to suspend all quarry permits pending review.

A day after Garcia issued the directive on June 30, the Asturias police arrested nine persons for alleged illegal quarrying in Barangay Kaluangan.

Sinas said that they will ask for a copy of the memorandum to serve as basis for PRO-7’s legal team when filing charges against violators.

“Kay kung dakop-dakop lang ta, tapos wala tay kaso, dili ma-impound (the vehicle), kataw-an lang ta sa operator,” he said. “We have authority and directive now. I suggest settle the problem with the governor – not us.”

Sinas said the suspension of quarry operations must be supported because quarrying causes possible landslides especially this rainy season.

He was thus glad to hear during a July 3 meeting with Garcia, along with other PRO-7 officials, that she will support illegal quarrying cases that will be brought to court. (FREEMAN)