DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes ruled that ELAC, being an apprehending officer or entity, could choose the proper DENR Officer whom it found could properly take legal custody of the chainsaws without any cloud of doubt. "Having presented several documents that cast doubt on the custodial capacity of the PENRO and CENRO, this Office lauds ELAC for helping the Department in curbing illegal logging through the apprehension of the chainsaw in its custody," the order of Secretary Reyes is qouted as saying.

The DENR Secretary ordered the Regional Executive Director of Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) to investigate the allegations made by ELAC of several missing chainsaws, cannibalized chainsaws that were in the custody of the CENROs and PENRO of the Province of Palawan.  ELAC also made allegations of confiscated chainsaws which were eventually released to their owners.

Secretary Reyes also directed the Regional Executive Director to prepare the seizure order on the apprehended chainsaws that are in custody of the ELAC. 

Pursuant to the order, ELAC turned-over the apprehended chainsaws in their custody to the DENR Secretary.  ELAC was represented by Atty. Robert A. Chan, a member of the ELAC Board of Trustees who is also the former Area Manager of ELAC-Palawan, and Atty. Raul P. Barbarona, ELAC Executive Director.  The turn-over was made on the occasion of the National Environmental Law Enforcement Summit which was held on August 21-23, 2006, at SEAMO Innotech in Quezon City. (rpb)