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Motorbike riders charged for destroying protected area in Benguet

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Mae Cornes, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/07/18/benguet-071816.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Photo courtesy of the Bokod Philippine National Police</div></figcaption></figure></div>BENGUET--Eleven motorcycle riders from Rizal province have been charged for destroying the mossy forest of Mt. Purgatory in Bokod, Benguet.The province of Benguet has been one of the top destinations for mountaineers, and Mt. Purgatory is among its most famous mountains.Members of Montalban Riders entered the prohibited area on October 2015.“Nasira yung flora and fauna, so they requested for a ritual in the area to appease the spirits,” said Claire Prudencio, provincial tourism officer of Benguet.Aida Joseph, the Protected Area Superintendent of Agno River Basin Resource Reserve, filed a complaint against the motorcycle riders for violation of the Forestry Code of the Philippines and the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.In her complaint, she cited several witnesses saying that the group entered Mt. Purgatory on motorcycles despite having been informed that it was prohibited.After the group left Mt. Purgatory, authorities found out that the “foot paths were totally ruined and the moss covers of the mossy forest were likewise destroyed”.There was no permit issued to the group to conduct their activity since the area is protected under Proclamation 268.In a counter affidavit filed by the respondents, they said that they were invited by their counterparts in La Trinidad, Benguet to come to the area.The said counterparts allegedly told them that a motor trail was in place, and that they will secure the necessary permits.After a couple of hours, the bikers allegedly got lost and were left behind by their tour guides. Since they were not familiar with the place, they did not know that they entered a protected area.The Montalban Riders said they are willing to help in the rehabilitation of the forest.They have already given P50,000 to the local government.Despite this, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Joylyn Calde resolved that there is probable cause to indict the riders.In her resolution, she said &quot;good faith&quot; of the respondents did not matter since they entered a protected area using their motorcycles without the necessary permit.The Provincial Tourism Officer of Benguet advised the public to speak first with the concerned local government agencies in Benguet before going to any mountain in the province.

Eleven motorcycle riders from Rizal province have been charged for destroying the mossy forest of Mt. Purgatory in Bokod, Benguet.

Motorbike riders charged for destroying protected area in Benguet

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Motorbike riders charged for destroying protected area in Benguet

Mae Cornes,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 18, 2016 10:30 PM PHT

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Bikers

Benguet

protected area

Montalban Riders

Bokod

Mt. Purgatory

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