By EDWIN IYO
Correspondent
GINGOOG City––Environment officials are about to press charges against Cagayan de Oro Councilor Zaldy Ocon after the legislator failed to show up for the second time during an administrative deliberation here this week. Rey Fernandez, community environment and natural resources officer, said illegal logging charges would be filed against Ocon and one Pepito Reyes, the alleged owner of the protected hardwood species seized in Medina town, Misamis Oriental, in Aug. 28.
Like Ocon, Reyes was also a no-show, according to Fernandez. Authorities seized the hardwood lumber, including doors, that were brought from Surigao del Sur using Ocon’s pick-up truck. The truck figured in an accident on the highway in Medina, leading to the discovery and seizure of lauan and magcono lumbers.
Fernandez said the Cenro would submit a report to the legal division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office, and point out that Ocon and Reyes did not participate in the delberations twice. He said he would also recommend that Ocon and Reyes be charged with violation of Section 77 of PD 705 as amended by RA 7161.
Fernandez said Ocon and Reyes were notified through JRS Express. Ocon earlier claimed that the attempt to bring the lumber to Cagayan de Oro was legal. He said he bought the wood for P29 thousand, and showed a receipt.
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