Shots fired at office of conservation group, Ya’axche
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Lisel Alamilla is reporting on a shooting that took place at around 1:20 am this past Wednesday morning. In a letter signed by the Minister to highlight the gravity of the situation, Alamilla says that several shots were fired at the Field Station of Ya’axche’ Conservation Trust located near Golden Stream Village where the confiscated rosewood was set on fire on January eleventh by the Minister. According to Alamilla it is believed that the shooting is in retaliation against the “stern actions that have been taken on the rosewood issue.” Ya’axche is co-manager of the Bladen Nature reserve and is known for its position against the illegal logging and trade of rosewood. Alamilla condemned the alleged act of revenge against Ya’axche, which she formerly headed, and asks the public to come forward with any information on the Wednesday night shooting. Further incidents of illegal logging and trade can be reported to the Ministry at 802-1524 and directed to Ms Santos and Ms Tingling.
The love of money is the root of all evil.
This crime has Gapi’s fingerprints all over it, no doubt, a man whose main claim to fame is raping the Jewel. The Mayans need to take justice into their own hands and protect this valuable resource, and that means protecting Ya’axche and all the organizations that help patrol the forest.
I saw a suggestion here last week that citizen patrols make citizen’s arrests, which are permitted under our law. That makes sense to me.
I’d begin with Gapi and David Hilmar Alamilla.
Maybe the Minister is right, someone lost $400,000 of illegal profits from that one burn of illegal logs alone, and isn’t too happy. I hope police can solve this direct attack on the government, and put everyone concerned in prison.
PM should deploy BDF to back-up the forestry officials as long as is necessary. You can’t back down from criminals.