DENR chief thanks Davao Mayor Duterte for release of abducted DENR contractors

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Photo courtesy of Shem Longakit and Davao City by Battad

MANILA — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje on Tuesday thanked Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for the release of five abducted contractors of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) without condition.

“In behalf of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, our sincerest thanks to Mayor Duterte for his help in freeing the Skyeye personnel without any condition,” Paje said on learning the release of the contractors who were reportedly abducted by armed men on Friday in Maco, Compostela Valley.

Paje clarified that four of the five victims were employees of Skyeye, a contractor of DENR conducting an audit of the National Greening Program (NGP) plantations using unmanned aerial vehicle or drone.

He identified the Skyeye personnel as Kendrick Wong, Chris Favila, Tim Sabino and Nico Lasaca. The fifth one, Jonas Loredo, is the driver of the van rented by the group in going to the area.

The DENR chief stressed that the agency has been using the state-of-art technology to ensure transparency in NGP.

“Using this technology will prevent the occurrence of ghost sites/projects and ensure that investment of government will be protected. It will also ensure accountability of DENR officials in the field,” Paje said.