By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The barangay captain for Calatrava’s Barangay Laga-an recently stopped an illegal quarrying operation.

Barangay Captain Vicente Maquiller said the operation commenced last Saturday after several trucks carrying filling materials were spotted in the area. He immediately ordered a stop to the operation the following Sunday, which prompted an argument between the local official and the supposed quarry operator, Patricio Cogonon, Sr.

During a press conference after a meeting with officials from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Provincial Legal Office yesterday afternoon, Maquiller said he is determined to file charges against Cogonon for illegally and unlawfully extracting filling materials in his community.

The barangay captain pointed out, the area is a “government-protected area” under the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

He alleged Cogonon did not have the proper permits from PAMB, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local town council, and the barangay.

The matter has also been forwarded to provincial government officials and local police./DGB, WDJ