A 44-year-old forest ranger was killed defending a protected area from six suspected illegal loggers in El Nido, Palawan last Wednesday.
Police Brig. Gen. Tomas Apolinario, director of the Philippine National Police Region 4-B (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), identified the victim as Department of Environment and Natural Resources forest ranger Bienvenido Veguilla Jr.
Apolinario said one of the six suspects was arrested after he was shot during the attack.
He said Veguilla and four other forest rangers were conducting patrol when they were informed of illegal logging activities in the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area in Barangay Pasadena.
“The areas were the suspects were cutting are considered protected areas. Cutting of trees in those areas are strictly prohibited,” said Apolinario.
The forest rangers arrived in Sitio Kinagawan at around 5 p.m. and saw one of the suspects, identified as Carding Fulgencio, cutting trees.
The forest rangers tried to arrest them but the suspects fled and left behind the chain saw which was later confiscated, PNP-Region 4-B spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado said.
“The team of the victim confiscated the chainsaw and decided to bring the same to their office for documentation when the group of the suspects blocked their way while armed with a bolo and a homemade shotgun,” said Faltado.
Apolinario said Veguilla was cornered by three of the suspects led by Fulgencio. The two other suspects were identified as Glen Fulgencio and Fernan Flores.
While Flores was hacking the victim, Veguilla was able to shoot him. The other suspects then attacked Veguilla.
“The responding personnel of El Nido Municipal Police Station arrested Fernan Flores who has a gunshot wound,” said Apolinario. Flores was taken to the Palawan Northern District Hospital.
“Documentary pieces of evidence are now being prepared for the filing of appropriate cases against the suspects, including the three other unidentified loggers,” said Apolinario.
A manhunt has been launched against the five illegal loggers. (Aaron Recuenco)
