NBI raids illegal structures in Boracay, 4 arrested

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday arrested a German and three Filipinos living in illegally built structures in a prohibited area in Bocaray Island.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” an aerial video of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed large structures built in the boundary of the forest land in Boracay.

NBI-Environmental Crime Division (ECD) executive officer Marvin Matamis said these were found in Mount Luho in Barangay Balabag and Barangay Yapak.

“Dito kami nakatagpo ng 12 malalaking istraktura na ayon sa DENR ay nagkakahalaga ng hindi mababa sa P50 million hanggang P100 million bawat isang istraktura,” Matamis said.

[We found the large structures here, which the DENR said cost no less than P50 million to P100 million per structure.]

NBI-ECD chief Jun Carpeso Jr. said the owners of the structures were out of the country.

“Allegedly ‘yung mga may ari nitong mga establisyimento ay nasa ibang bansa,” he said.

[The owners are allegedly out of the country.]

Carpeso said the operation was conducted with the DENR-Region 6 and the local police of Boracay.

The three Filipinos declined to give comment. They are now detained at the Kalibo Provincial Jail.

The owners will be charged with violation of the Forestry Code of the Philippines.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News