Although Dumaliang's team had been attempting to contain the blaze by putting fire lines and fire breaks, as well as dispatching park rangers, she said the burning could signal a bigger attack on the protected area.
Some 30 men linked to a private entity - which Masungi had flagged for land-grabbing last year - have reportedly been seen in the watershed area. Dumaliang's group also said the private entity has been expanding resort development and construction in the reserve despite lack of permits. Dumaliang said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has since informed them that it has instructed its provincial officer to file cases against the private entity. However, she raised that a cease and desist order would have been more appropriate since construction work is still ongoing.CNN Philippines has reached to the DENR office in Rizal and Calabarzon for comment.
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