DENR, NBI seize P3.2 million agarwood

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) along with agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have confiscated about 20 kilos of agarwood valued at P3.2 million in Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal.

Four suspects were arrested by the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force and the NBI Environmental Crime Division on June 8. They were Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar and Arjhun Gaviola.

The DENR said the suspects were nabbed after they caught in the act of transporting agarwood extracted from local tree species.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act and the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines have been filed against the suspects who are being held at the NBI detention facility in Manila.

Agarwood, one of the most expensive raw materials for the production of perfume, incense, fragrance oil and traditional medicine, can be sold for as high as P160,000 per kilo.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lauded the DENR and NBI for their “unrelenting efforts to go after the suspects despite quarantine restrictions.”               – Elizabeth Marcelo

Ex-AFP chief  gets burial honors

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Arnulfo Acedera Jr. was given burial honors by the AFP at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig over the weekend.

Acedera, who served as AFP chief from Nov. 28, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1997, passed away on June 15. He was 78.

The AFP said final honors were given to Acedera, including the 21-gun salute, playing of Taps and a volley of fire during his interment.

Top military officers led by AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. paid tribute to Acedera.

Before he was laid to rest, Acedera was accorded necrological rites at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.

“The AFP condoles with the family of General Arnulfo Acedera,” Santos said during the funeral rites. “He will always be remembered as one of the great leaders that piloted the AFP toward greater heights in military might.”

Acedera also served as commanding general of the Philippine Air Force from Dec. 26, 1995 to November 1996.

He left behind his wife Stella and two children.

The AFP said Acedera was a decorated military officer being a recipient of various awards such as the Distinguished Service Stars, Aviation Cross, Bronze Cross Medal, Silver Wing Medal and the AFP Combat Commander’s “Kagitingan” Badges.