INQUIRER Global Nation

AT least one truck carrying filling materials was impounded in Compostela town, northern Cebu, then released a few hours later under unclear circumstances.

The cargo, worth P2,000 to P3,000, did not have permits to show the materials came from legal quarrying operations.

“I do not know who released the truck,” said Roger de Dios, acting regional technical director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Ressources.

“But we have documented everything and submitted a report to the provincial government. They will be the one to file to file appropriate charges.”

“We will be requesting the province to help us curtail illegal quarrying.”

The DENR was tipped off about the operation and plate numbers of three trucks coming from the upland barangay of Bagalnga.

A CDN source said a relative of a municipal official was behind the quarrying there to gather filling material for a subdivision project in nearby Liloan town.

“We met up with the PENRO (Province Environment and Natural Resources. But two trucks diverted to another route and dumped the filling materials in the market area. One truck was seized and was impounded at the Compostela Municipal Hall,” said de Dios of DER.

De Dios said the truck driver was unable to present transport and delivery documents.

But the impounded truck was later released.

Penro chief Nerces Bispo said she was not familiar with details behind the truck confiscation or release and was waiting for a report from staff.

Bispo said she would send the incident report to Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda.

She said Penro personnel chanced upon the truck while doing field work in the area.