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Azurin orders tight security in Masungi area

September 23, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 219 views

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. on Friday ordered the Rizal Police Provincial Office to fully secure the Masungi Georeserve Area and enforce all ordinances pertaining to the forest land in Tanay.

“Our security is tight. We are also constantly coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government unit,” said the top cop as he instructed Police Regional Office 4-A director, Brigadier Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and Rizal Police Provincial Office director, Colonel Dominic L. Baccay to strictly enforce his directives.

According to the PNP chief, an investigation is also underway to identify possible violations of the group responsible for the alleged deployment of armed men in the area.

“What we are advocating for is to avoid any tension or violence from arising,” he said.

Included in the probe is the alleged harassment and assault on one of Masungi Georeserve’s caretakers.

Gen. Azurin and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. visited the area to conduct an inspection as the DILG chief said they are coordinating their actions with the DENR,

“We are under the guidance of the DENR,” he said as he reiterated that security personnel can’t just rush going to the area—where there is an ongoing land dispute– as they need to secure a permit first from the PNP.

Sec. Abalos also ordered the police force to help demolish all illegal structures in the area as soon as possible.

Teams of PNP personnel will be deployed to conduct 24-hour patrols in the protected area.

The Rizal police is strictly enforcing a closure order issued by the Baras local government unit on all resorts operating within Sitio San Roque where tension has been noted.

Gen. Azurin said the Rizal police force will be augmented by troops from the PRO4-A Regional Mobile Force Battalion. He added that certain names mentioned by the complainants will be investigated, whether they are active or retired police or military officers and men.

Sec. Abalos confirmed that the fact that there have been many claimants in the Masungi area makes it ‘more complicated’ with the DILG and the DENR needing to partner with each other to resolve the issue.

However, he admitted that forest conservationists have played a major role in protecting the area. “Kung wala sila, puro restaurants na ito,” Sec. Abalos said.

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