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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider NBI files raps against gov't officials, resort operators over Boracay mess

NBI files raps against gov't officials, resort operators over Boracay mess

Published Jun 30, 2020 04:03 pm
By Jeffrey Damicog The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed multiple criminal complaints against Mayor Ceciro Cawaling of Malay, Aklan and several others including government officials and resort operators for their involvement in the environmental deterioration of the popular tourist destination Boracay island. The NBI’s Environmental Crime Division (EnCD) filed five complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) today (July 20) and Thursday (July 19) based on the investigation conducted by the Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF). In its complaints, the NBI accused the respondents of having violated Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines including unlawful occupation or destruction of forest lands as well as illegal gathering and collecting of timber and other products. The NBI also accused the respondents of violating the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998; Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and the Local Government Code of 1991. In its referral letters, NBI Task Force Boracay head Antonio Pagatpat recommended to Justice Menardo Guevarra to prosecute the respondents. “Apart from its white powdery sand beaches and hopping night life, Boracay is one of the world’s most sought beach destinations,” Pagatpat noted. However, Pagatpat lamented that “years of indiscriminate development have led to environmental degradation, pollution and depletion and destruction of the island’s biodiversity.” Those who have been named as respondents in all or in some of the complaints are Cawaling; former Malay Mayor John Yap; Malay municipal engineer and building officials Elizer Casidsid and Azor Gelito; Aklan provincial assessor Kokoy Suguilon; Aklan local assessment operations officer Roger Rembulat; Malay municipal assessor Erlinda Casimero; Malay zoning administrator Alma Belejerdo; Glenn Sacapano, Boracay island chief operations officer and chairman of Malay municipal Development Guidelines Review committee; former Aklan provincial assessors Enrique Claudio, Vicente Teodecio and Milagros Azarcon; and former Aklan assistant provincial assessor Ramon Panagsagan; The NBI also included as respondents current and former executives and officers of Yooringa Corporation, Boracay Tanawin Properties Inc., Denichi Boracay Corporation, Correos Internacionale Inc., Seven Seas Boracay Properties Inc., and Boracay Island West Cove Management Philippines Inc. On April 26, Boracay island was shut down upon the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to pave the way for its six-month rehabilitation. Following its closure, Guevarra issued an order directing the NBI to create “a Task Force which will conduct an investigation and case buildup concerning possible violations of environmental laws, municipal ordinances, and administrative regulations by local government officials in Malay, Aklan and national government personnel in charge of Boracay Island for the past 20 years.”
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