by Ben Serrano

October 29, 2010

            BUTUAN CITY- An employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Bislig City was shot dead inside Caballero’s Billiard Hall located at Purok 6, Barangay San Roque, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur province Wednesday evening, official report from Bislig City Police office said, 

            Bislig City is about 170 kilometers away from this city, Caraga region's capital.

            Caraga Police Regional Information office here identified the victim as Nelson Cemaco Luna, 34, married, employee of Bislig City DENR office and resident of Purok 1, Maharlika, Bislig City.

            Police said Luna who was previously assigned in sensitive DENR monitoring station was shot dead in the back of his head by still two unidentified suspects using .45 cal pistol.

            Suspects fled aboard single motorcycle after killing the DENR employee.

            Prior to the shooting of Luna, his wife Phanie Jane Luna said her husband received several threats through text messages.

            Responding Bislig City police personnel recovered from the crime scene three (3) spent shell of cal .45. pistol.

Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal ordered thorough investigation in the brutal murder of Luna following reports on alleged rampant logs smuggling and illegal logging activities within former paper and wood firm giant, PICOP Resources’  former logging concession areas

After expiry of the logging concessions of paper firm PICOP Resources within Bislig City area, reports of log poaching or smuggling and unabated illegal logging activities were rampant inside the once Asia’s biggest wood and paper firm occupied timberlands. (-30-)