Aquino to get tough on illegal loggers after floods, landslides

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said his government will take “strong actions" against illegal loggers following the devastation caused by floods and landslides in several provinces across the country. “I think we’ll be making an announcement with regards to logging. As you know, logs are our first defense against all these floodings and it pains me to note that patuloy pa rin ‘yung illegal logging," Aquino said in an interview with Palace reporters. Aquino said he has already talked to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje regarding tougher actions against illegal loggers. “We will take very strong actions against [illegal logging]," he said. Aquino is set to fly to St. Bernard in southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, and Legazpi City in Albay — areas affected by the heavy rains — on Friday. He will do an aerial survey to see the extent of the damage caused by flash floods and landslides, which resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its Thursday morning report, damage to infrastructure, agriculture and private property has already breached the P1-billion mark. - Jam L. Sisante/KBK, GMANews.TV