The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the Bohol Environmental Protection Task Force (BEPTF), which is under the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) agree to join forces in the implementation of environmental laws as the former puts closure to the plate number issue, according to a report from the Provincial Information and Media Relations office in a report on Friday, June 18, 2021.
The HPG-Bohol led by Master Sgt. Marcelino Dacoylo and the PLO Atty. Nilo Ahat met to discuss the issue on the undercover vehicle used in the operation against alleged illegal quarry activities in Garcia Hernandez town.
The HPG agreed to put closure on the issue as both parties agreed to have closer coodination to avert any conflict in the future.
The meeting, which was brokered by Board Member Ricky Masamayor, the chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Peace and Order, resulted with the parties arriving at an understanding that the issue could have been avoided if only there was coordination prior to the operation.
As this developed, the HPG said that it would no longer be conducting an investigation regarding the incident about the plate number used by members of the BEPTF.
Furthermore, the HPG considers the issue on the use of plate number as a disguise “closed and terminated”.
The HPG recognized that the BEPTF was conducting a legitimate operation and should no longer be subjected to an investigation.
In the said meeting, Atty. Ahat used the opportunity to extend an invitation to HPG Bohol to collaborate and assist the Provincial Government and the BEPTF to arrest modified dumptrucks used in alleged violation of the Revised Mining Ordinance and other environmental laws.
The issue stems from the flagging down of a vehicle used by the BEPTF in barangay Laya, Baclayon on June 7, 2021 by the HPG. The vehicle allegedly sported a green plate, which is supposed to help disguise the vehicle that was used against alleged illegal quarry operations in Garcia Hernandez town.