PNP to intensify efforts vs illegal mining, logging

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday said he ordered regional offices to intensify efforts against illegal and irresponsible mining and logging.

“Because of what we have seen in Davao, yung mga nag-landslide doon, I am directing our regional offices  especially those with mining areas, yung mga irresponsible mining at saka yung mga walang papeles, please intensify,” Acorda said at a press conference.

(Because of what we have seen in Davao, including landslides, I am directing our regional offices to intensify their efforts against irresponsible mining and those without papers.)

“Napag-usapan naman iyan with [Director for Operations], about this running after this kind of operation especially on illegal logging,” he added.

(That was discussed with the Director for Operations, about running after this kind of operation especially on illegal logging.]

In the landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro, a total of 98 bodies and body parts were recovered while eight people have been reported as missing.

In Mindanao, a total of 14,851 people or 4,007 families were still staying in 63 evacuation centers as of Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

A total of 22 people died due to flooding and landslide incidents.

Damage to infrastructure worth P2,627,027,756 and to agriculture worth P558,254,553 was reported. A total of 4,822 houses were damaged —4,035 partially and 787 totally.

A state of calamity was declared in the following areas:

• Maco, Davao de Oro
• Agusan del Sur
• Lingig, Surigao del Sur
• Butuan City
• Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte

Assistance worth P267,321,100 has been provided to the victims. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News