4 arrested for illegal campsite in Rizal protected land

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said it arrested four persons for establishing a campsite within the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve in Tanay, Rizal.

In a statement, the NBI said that upon the verification of the Protected Area Management Board, the campsite had no clearance to construct, erect, maintain a structure, fence, or enclosure to conduct business within the protected area

The Kaliwa River Forest Reserve was declared a protected area in 1969 under Presidential Proclamation 573.

The NBI also said the campsite continued to operate despite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issuing a cease and desist order on Nov. 6, 2020.

Authorities also found that the Tanay local government did not issue building and business permits to the campsite.

NBI said the suspects, two of whom are women, have been presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Tanay.

One member of the group remains at large, the NBI said. 

Three of the suspects are facing charges for violating the National Integrated Protected Area System Act while the other is facing charges for violating the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News