“Walang permit para ilabas kaya pinigilan namin,” said Ricky Manalansan, 31, an Aeta forest ranger.
He said that five dump trucks loaded with cut trees were already impounded at the SBMA Law Enforcement Department while they are still guarding three other trucks loaded with eucalyptus, cupang and other tree species at the Pastulan Village.
A big trunk of cut lawaan tree and left-over of other tree species were seen in clearings adjacent to the access road that reportedly used to be a bike trail to Pastulan.
Pastulan, an Aeta village, is under Hermosa but became part of the former American naval base-turned SBMA. About two-thirds of the total area of SBMA belongs to Bataan, particularly Hermosa and Morong towns.
Manalansan said the cutting of trees and ongoing construction greatly changed Pastulan. “Dati ang mga hayop tulad ng baboy ramo, ibon, unggoy at iba pa ay malapit lang sa amin pero ngayon nabulabog. Wala nang maririnig na huni ng ibon, madalang na,” he said.
He said that it has a big effect on their livelihood and their way of life. “Dati maglibot lang kami na may dalang pana o tirador, pag-uwi namin may dala na kaming pagkain tulad ng ibon sa pamilya namin. Ngayon, lalayo muna kami bago makahuli ng hayop,” he said.
“Mas maganda noong araw kesa ngayon,” Manalansan said, citing that construction in the area started September 2015.
Norma Abraham, 65, a lowlander married to an Aeta native, said she was surprised to learn of the cutting of trees in Pastulan where she has been staying for 41 years.
“Nasasaktan kami dahil itinanim namin nang walang bayad ang mga kahoy sa kagustuhan naming mabuhay ang gubat, tapos pinutol,” the old woman said.
She said that she was one of those who planted eucalyptus for the government in the area more than 20 years ago.
“Masakit sa amin ang ginawang pagputol ng mga kahoy. Hindi maganda,” 37-year old Aeta native Samson dela Cruz said.
