MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed criminal charges against three individuals in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya for selling chainsaws without permits.
The NBI-Bayombong District Office (NBI-BAYDO), in a news release on Tuesday, said the trio were separately arrested on May 6.
NBI Officer-in-Charge-Director Eric Distor said suspects Emero Saguid, Isagani Foronda, and Randy Ramirez have been subjected to inquest proceedings before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Bayombong for violation of Republic Act 9175, otherwise known as an Act Regulating the Ownership, Possession, Sale, Importation and Use of Chainsaws.
A fourth suspect, Alex Negrillo, who owns Powersaw Trading, is at large.
The NBI received information that Powersaw Trading, Ganie Inc., and Blanco Agricultural Farm Machinery were selling chainsaws sans permits.
Five chainsaws were confiscated.
A certification issued by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources sub-office is required to sell and distribute the cutting machines.
No such permits were issued to the said firms, the NBI found out.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources can issue permits to possess and/or use a chainsaw for the felling and/or cutting of trees, timber and other forest or agro-forest products to any applicant who has a subsisting timber license agreement, production sharing agreement, or similar agreements, or a private land timber permit; is an orchard and fruit tree farmer; is an industrial tree farmer; is a licensed wood processor and the chain saw shall be used for the cutting of timber that has been legally sold to said applicant; or shall use the chain saw for a legal purpose.
The law also states that “any person who voluntarily gives information leading to the recovery or confiscation of an unregistered chainsaw and the conviction of persons charged thereof shall be entitled to a reward equivalent to 20 percent of the value of the chainsaw unit(s).”
Imprisonment ranges from one month to eight years and fines from PHP1,000 to PHP30,000. (PNA)