Cimatu said the DENR will provide a college scholarship to Arzaga’s daughter, Jesel Mae, 16, who is now in tenth grade. Arzaga’s killing was the second attack on forest protection officers by illegal loggers and timber poachers in Palawan in three weeks. Cimatu denounced the two incidents of shooting DENR’s forest protection officers by suspected illegal loggers. “The DENR is also studying the possibility of foresters carrying firearms when they are conducting patrols or apprehending illegal loggers,” he said. Palawan provincial environment and natural resources officer Felizardo Cayatoc deplored the attacks against forest workers, noting that illegal loggers have become more dangerous.

Source: Manila Times September 23, 2017 12:33 UTC