PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has “ordered the suspension of several logging concessions in Zamboanga Peninsula,” Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. announced in a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 9. “This after he was apprised of concerns of indigenous populations that they have been displaced by logging operations of some companies. And he also observed that it is widespread logging that is responsible for the flash floods that Mindanao experienced only this month of December with two typhoons,” Mr. Roque said. The President issued the order at the Cabinet meeting in the Palace on Monday. — A.L. Balinbin

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