By AARON RECUENCO
Police Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of Philippine National Police, ordered the relief of the head of the police force of Puerto Princesa City for allegedly beating up and illegally arresting local forest guards.
Gamboa said he also ordered a thorough investigation on the real reason why Police Col. Marlon Balonglong reacted violently on the law enforcement team of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources which were out to investigate the cutting of mangrove trees and occupation of illegal settlers in protected forest of Puerto Princesa City.
Based on the initial investigation report from Police Brig. Gen. Nicerio Obaob, the regional director of the Mimaropa (Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) police, the local DENR officers were about to enforce a notice to vacate the land they occupied when they were intercepted by the local police headed by Balonglong himself.
The cutting of mangrove and occupation of any mangrove area are considered illegal since the entire province of Palawan is considered as mangrove forest reserve.
Balonglong allegedly beat up some of the DENR local enforcers and some of the village officials who accompanied them. Not yet contented, Balonglong and his men reportedly arrested the group and took them to the local police station without citing any law violated.
“The allegations against Balonglong are serious and his relief is an administrative action to preclude any possibility of undue influence in the ongoing investigation,” said Gamboa.
In 2018, it was learned that Balonglong was sacked by then Metro Manila police chief Police Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar for command responsibility over allegations that his men were involved in extortion racket on drug suspects. Balonglong was then chief of police of Las Piñas City.
Gamboa tasked Obaob to determine all the reasons why Balonglong reacted violently. Obaob assured Gamboa that all allegations against Balonglong will be thoroughly investigated based on evidence and verified accounts of witnesses.
The protection of mangrove forest and other forest reserves in Palawan has been bloody in the past years for forest rangers who have been at the mercy of illegal loggers. Some of the poorly-equipped forest rangers would end up being killed or wounded from the attacks of illegal loggers.
OUTRAGED
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu was outraged by the unlawful arrest and detention of the forest rangers.
“It is totally unacceptable that these environmental enforcers who continue to perform their duties despite the COVID-19 pandemic have to suffer violence at the hands of the police, who should be assisting them in their operations,” Cimatu said.
He called for the swift resolution of the case involving the illegal arrest and police brutality suffered by its team at the hands of Balonglong.
Cimatu, however, believes it was just an isolated case and would not affect the partnership between the DENR and the Philippine National Police in enforcing environmental laws.
“As much as I’m furious at what happened to my men, I hope this incident won’t affect the cordial relationship and collaborative partnership the DENR has with the PNP in the fight against environmental crime,” he said.
The DENR chief also said he already brought the matter to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, who has supervisory authority over the PNP. (Ellalyn Ruiz)
