In a statement, the Diocese of Ilagan led by Bishop Sergio Utleg and the Diocesan Ecology Desk chaired by Fr. John Couvreur said they are ready to lead their parishioners in staging a hunger-strike to enable them to draw national and international attention to what they described as "sad state of the province’s remaining forest cover."

"We will stage a hunger-strike if no credible and sustained response is coming forward. This is intended to call national and international attention to the plight of our forest," they said in the three-page statement.

The statement, also signed by the various local religious leaders and representatives of community organizations, expressed alarm over what they described as widespread illegal logging in various parts of Isabela, including areas within the supposedly government-protected Sierra Madre watershed in the northern parts of the province.

"Stop dreaming that there’s no illegal logging in Isabela and that the virgin forest is recovering," they also said.

"Forest guards have to be in the forest, not in the office. Stop receiving bribes from loggers. Apprehend them and seize their equipment," the signatories stated, addressing the message to DENR and police authorities.

Earlier, the Parish of Saint Aquinas in San Mariano town, Isabela called on Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes to relieve immediately forester Felix Taguba, the provincial environment and natural resources officer, for his alleged failure to check illegal logging.

The clergy also asked the Army’s 5th Infantry Division and the local police not to allow any room for negotiation or compromise, and instead strictly enforce the law law by confiscating illegally cut forest products and immediately arrest the illegal loggers.

"Do not allow yourselves to be bribed but think with pride about your contribution to the welfare of the future generations," it said.

The Church also appealed to the provincial government, including municipal and barangay officials, to discharge your responsibility for the protection of the environment.

Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca vowed to personally look into the reported illegal activities.

But she appealed to all concerned to help her administration in the efforts to once and for all put a stop to the illegal logging activities.