Authorities identified animal herders and farm caretakers as among the probable suspects for the fire that continue to raze the forests of Itogon. Benguet.
"Na-point natin dito is yung mga nagpapastol. Yung iba naman ay yung naglilinis ng kanilang uma (farm)," FSO3 Saturnino Ariston said on Friday, February 23, during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Kung minsan parang sinunog nila tapos biglang alis nila at hindi binantayan," he explained.
Ariston admitted that the fire might also stemmed from the practice of kaingin within or near the area.
Ariston assured that the blaze has not yet reached any residential area, and has not recorded any fatality.
The Bureau of Fire Protection-Cordillera Administrative Region said that the region has recorded 63 forest fires since the start of 2024.
