Himamaylan City resident Alfredo Cordero recently pled guilty to violations of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, signed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos.

The defendant was accused of cutting down around 50.82 cubic meters of mangrove trees along the Binicuil River, which resulted damage amounting to P50,820.

According to Section 33 of the decree, river banks are listed among areas designated for reforestation.

The decree goes on to note, unauthorized cutting and gathering of timber is considered “qualified theft,” while the unlawful destruction of forest lands may be punishable with fees up to P20,000 and imprisonment for up to two years./WDJ