Rocks at a river in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia town, Negros Occidental caught the attention of the public because of their altered state.
The rocks were painted to offer a colorful area for visitors to hang out while at a resort owned reportedly by a Russian national.
The photos of the colored rocks went viral and reached the attention of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Negros Occidental. Personnel conducted an inspection along with officials of the Local Government Unit of Murcia.
It was disclosed by the caretaker of the resort that the owner, a Russian national, ordered the painting of the stones.
"Ang main attraction sa Negros Occidental at sa Negros Island Region ang ating nature. Ina-appreciate natin ang beauty of nature na hindi altered. Ang nangyari is, pininturahan nila, colorful. Pero na-destroy nito ang main attraction,” PENRO Head Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya pointed out.
The barangay said it was too late to stop the Russian national when they learned of the painting of the rocks.
The news team went to the area, but the Russian national was not around.
However, the caretaker of the resort confirmed that it has been three months already since they painted the rocks. She said that the purpose was to offer a colorful backdrop for visitors of the resort who take photos of the area.
PENRO said that the Russian national could face charges, possibly, for vandalism and malicious mischief as the alteration done has no permit.
“Siguro, ang (case) niya is vandalism, under sa violation sang Anti-Vandalism Act kag malicious mischief,” Gerangaya added.
He also said that painting of rocks could possibly affect flora and fauna that thrive in the river, as well as marine life as river water spills out at sea.
The river is a source of water at Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, the PENRO head further said.
PENRO collected water samples to check probable contamination of river water while waiting for the Russian national's return to the resort to be summoned for an explanation to the said alteration.