AFP to take over anti-illegal logging operations in South

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is taking over from its civilian counterpart all anti-illegal logging operations in Mindanao starting next year.

This is in response to President Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force.

“The AFP will now lead all anti-illegal logging operations in Mindanao effective Jan. 1, 2013,” said Capt. Joselito Ante Jr., civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade based in Bancasi, Butuan City.

Illegal logging and illegal mining have been largely blamed for the massive destruction brought by typhoon “Pablo” in the Caraga region, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental last week.

Communist rebels are known to be benefiting financially from the illegal logging activities.

The government’s shift in strategy in addressing illegal logging in Mindanao was a result of a special meeting at Camp Aguinaldo between top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of National Defense last September.

“It was agreed that in view of the presence of insurgency and armed groups in Mindanao to modify the strategies of the anti-illegal logging campaign of the government through the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force Resolution No. 005,” Ante said.

Col. Ronaldo Albano, commander of the 402nd IB which has operational jurisdiction over the Caraga region, is under orders from Maj. Gen. Nestor Ano, 4th Infantry Division commander, to implement Aquino’s Executive Order 23 in the entire region.