THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Environmental Crime Division has recommended charges of graft, unlawful occupation of forest lands, and violation of the Local Government Code against three businesses officers and government officials in Boracay Island under the municipality of Malay in Aklan province. In three separate complaints before the Department of Justice, officers of Skygarden De Boracay Corp., Playa Asya Resort, Inc., and Kingfishers Farm were charged. NBI included in all the complaints Malay Mayor Ceciron M. Cawaling, former mayor John P. Yap, and other government officials, including local government engineers and assessors. The NBI claimed that officers of the three establishments violated Republic Act. No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Section 20 (License Agreement, License, Lease or Permit) in relation to Section 79 (Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forest Lands), and Section 85 (Tax Declaration on Real Property) of the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. The NBI also alleged that Kingfishers Farm committed aquatic pollution, which is a violation of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR