The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed several criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against relieved Puerto Princesa Police chief Col. Marion Balonglong in line with the illegal arrest and maltreatment of eight DENR employees last June 10.
DENR said Balonglong is facing criminal charges of torture, unlawful arrest, slight physical injuries, obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders, and graft and corruption.
The police officer was also charged administratively with grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in violation of Republic Act 6317, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“I hope such an isolated incident would not affect the cordial relationship and collaborative partnership between the DENR and the PNP in enforcing environmental laws.”
Earlier, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu called for a swift resolution of the case even as he expressed hope such an isolated incident would not affect the cordial relationship and collaborative partnership between the DENR and the Philippine National Police in enforcing environmental laws.
In an 18-page complaint filed with the Ombudsman on June 21, the DENR provided full details of the illegal arrest and maltreatment suffered at the hands of Balonglong by eight workers assigned at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Puerto Princesa City.
The eight—three foresters, four forest rangers and a forest protection officer—were conducting a follow-up investigation in a mangrove area in Sitio Bucana of Barangay (village) Iwahig-Matahimik when they were rounded up by a group of policemen “in full battle gear” led by Balonglong.
The investigation was in connection with an earlier discovery on June 7 of illegal occupation and massive mangrove cutting in the area where the DENR team seized some 73 cut mangrove trees, a galvanized iron sheet and four drum containers.
Forest Ranger Roldan Alvarez, one of the members of the DENR investigating team, identified Balonglong as the one who “repeatedly kicked and stomped” on him at gunpoint while they were being subjected to full body search and ordered to lie down on the ground.
“At one point, Balonglong stepped on the head of Alvarez with his foot while wearing his combat boots.”
At one point, Balonglong stepped on the head of Alvarez with his foot while wearing his combat boots, the complaint said.
Despite identifying themselves and their official mission to Balonglong, the DENR team was then brought to the site which they investigated on June 7 and there Alvarez was made to kneel for almost an hour while other members of the team were ordered to sit at one corner.
The DENR team was transported to the police station aboard three PNP vehicles while Alvarez aboard a separate white van with Balonglong and three other police officers.
On their way to the police station, Balonglong put a transparent cellophane on the head of Alvarez and gradually pulled it until the latter found it difficult to breathe. This was an apparent attempt to force Alvarez to admit possession of some construction materials, which Balonglong claimed to be missing from the mangrove area.
The DENR workers were released following a long dialogue between Balonglong and CENR officer Felizardo Cayatoc, who was made to sign a document stating that the workers were in good mental and physical condition when they were turned over to him.
The complaint said Balonglong should also be held accountable for breaking the guidelines and protocols for physical distancing during a state of emergency because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.