ILOILO — Death threats against the head of the Iloilo Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) have sharply increased following the provincial government’s intensified crackdown on illegal quarrying operations in central Iloilo.
Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr. linked the threats directly to his office’s aggressive campaign against violators.
He revealed that the number of threats he receives monthly has multiplied after a major anti-illegal quarry operation launched on April 29 in the boundaries of Lambunao, Dueñas, and Calinog towns.
“Before sang sining huganas, sadto mga one to two a month, subong three to four to six a month. Parehos subong nga bulan, mga tatlo to lima na,” Buyco told Panay News.
According to Buyco, the threats are sent through text messages and Messenger accounts using fake names and anonymous numbers.
“Ang pangalan indi mo ma-ano, kis-a number lang, tawgan mo gani indi man ma-contact kag ang mga pangalan bal-an mo gid nga peke, kumbaga daw parehos sang pangalan sang Chiz Curls,” said Buyco.
The provincial government’s intensified operations against illegal quarry activities may have disrupted the livelihood and financial interests of those involved, he said.
Despite the threats, Buyco said he has no plans to request police security from the provincial government, although he admitted taking extra precautions by limiting his movements, especially outside the office.
“Pahug-pahug nga mag-untat kami kag indi magsagad tutok sa amo ni. Pero ti indi man puede kay may obligasyon kita,” he stressed.
Buyco noted that receiving threats is not new to him, even during his previous stint with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The environment official emphasized that the anti-illegal quarry campaign is not personal and urged quarry operators to legalize their operations by securing the necessary permits from the provincial government.
“Makig-angut kamo diri. Kuha kamo permit. Wala gid ya problema kung legal lang. Ang gina-ayam namon is illegal kag kung may violation. Kung legal ang inyo operation wala gid kita problema,” Buyco stressed.
Last week, Buyco publicly disclosed that politicians, businessmen, men in uniform, landowners, and private individuals were allegedly involved in illegal quarry activities in Iloilo province.
He specifically identified Dueñas, Calinog, and Lambunao as areas where illegal quarrying operations continue to exist.
These areas were the subject of a joint operation conducted by the PGENRO, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on April 29, although authorities failed to catch any operators during the raid.
Buyco estimated that around five hectares of land had already been subjected to illegal quarrying activities in the targeted areas./PN
