The Bohol Environment Protection Task Force (BEPTF) intercepts this truck (in the photo) allegedly owned by the local government unit of Garcia Hernandez carrying illegally-extracted sand. The operation took place on June 4, 2021 at barangay Calma of the said town. Contributed photo
The Bohol Environment Protection Task Force (BEPTF) intercepted on Friday, June 4, 2021, a truck owned by the local government unit (LGU) of Garcia Hernandez allegedly hauling illegally extracted sand and gravel, according to a police report obtained by The Bohol Tribune on Saturday, June 5, 2021.
The said report bares that a team of BEPTF led by retired Col. Alex Maglajos intercepted an Isuzu truck allegedly owned by the LGU of Garcia-Hernandez and driven by a certain John Dante Salve.
The truck was intercepted in barangay Calma, Garcia-Hernandez, according to the report.
The same report says that the BEPTF conducted an operation which led to the interception of the truck. The driver was unable to present a delivery receipt. About 3 cubic meters of sand were loaded to the said truck, the report continues.
The same report says that a certain Ritchel Ochavillo of East Lungsod Daan, Garcia Hernandez allegedly rented the LGU’s truck and used it to haul the sand.
A source also told The Bohol Tribune that a certain Inday Ochavillo is allegedly a contractor of the LGU’s projects and extracts sand using the rented trucks owned by Garcia Hernandez town government.
This leads to us to ask:
- Is the LGU of Garcia Hernandez aware that its truck is being used for the alleged illegal activity?
- If the LGU truck was properly rented, is there a mechanism that is being used by the town government to monitor the purpose of the truck being used?
- What is the intent of the one who rented the truck to use an LGU vehicle to avoid getting flagged down for carrying alleged illegally-extracted sand?
- Is the LGU aware that there is an alleged illegal extraction of sand happening in the town and allegedly perpetrated by one of its contractors?