
Dear ActNow, PostCourier, Greenpeace
I congratulate you on the excellent job that you did in Pomio. Because of your news coverage and exposure, the Pomio landowners finally got justice. Justice that has been denied to them for so long.
I hope you can do the same for another group of oppressed landowners. A company is illegally logging in their land, without their consent, and exporting their logs.
The illegal logging is happening at:
Bongu Village, Block 1 Raicoast
Astrolabay, Madang Province
(Near the crash site for Airlines PNG, Madang)
The logging contractor G&S Limited, is blatantly and openly logging and cutting logs without consent from the landowners.
There has already been TWO high powered gun fights in the area, over this logging dispute between the landowners and the contractor.
In December 2011, the landowners managed to get a court order stopping the harvest and export of the logs.
But the contractor is ignoring this, and still proceed to harvest.

Now, they are preparing to export the logs. On Monday (6th Feb 2012) this week, the logging vessel is already at the logpond.
The landowners are prepared to mobilize and arm themselves to stop the shipment, using any means necessary.
However, I hope that this can be resolved peacefully, through exposure and awareness in the media.
Without violence and gunfights that may result in loss of life and property.
We appeal for you to write and expose this in the media
The landowners are already engaging their lawyer to file damages against the contractor, for illegal logging of resources.
They are confident of winning the court case. Unfortunately, the court is just resuming from their break.
If the disputed logs are exported, the landowners will never see any money, even if they do win the court case later.
They will only get a hollow victory.
Like what happened to the unfortunate landowners who won 250 million kina against Concord Pacific in 2011, for illegal logging.
We hope that with your media exposure, we can put a halt to the current log shipment, and wait for the coming court case against the contractor, G&S Limited.
The landowners managed to get sympathetic forestry officers in Madang to support their cause.
At great risk to their jobs, these officers made copies of forestry documents which exposes the illegal conduct of the logging contractor.
There are two main documents
(a) confidential report (by madang forestry staff)
(b) investigation issues (what the landowners are hoping to expose in
media, which will result in an investigations)
I sincerely hope that you can help the landowners get justice. On behalf of Block 1 Landowners, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts
Fuguman Gao - 7209 8758 (disputing landowner spokesman/clansleader)
PS: the illegal LOGS shipment is happening NOW. RAICOAST MADANG PNG,
THIS WEEK. 6th FEb 2012.
The illegal logging is happening at:
Bongu Village, Block 1 Raicoast
Astrolabay, Madang Province
(Near the crash site for Airlines PNG, Madang)
Just in case you missed seeing the connections, here are three key documents showing the cancel and transfer of Raicoast Logging license.
license cancellation 5th july 2011
license transfer 18th July 2011
new contractor plan 27th july 2011
All within July 2011 itself.
G&S Limited have dug their own grave, making serious mistakes, in their desperation to export their illegally harvested logs.


Timeline of Events
1. On 9th Dec 2011, Mr Fuguman Gau (on behalf of the landowners in Block 1), got a court order
The court order stops harvest and export of logs in block 1, raicoast madang.
2. This court order was served on G&S Limited immediately. A copy was also given to Forestry Madang.
3. G&S Limited ignores court order. They have 2 task force police on deployment at campsite. This allows them to resist and ignore landowners.
4. Forestry Madang unable to do anything, because of interference and directions from Forestry Moresby.
5. Gunfights happens for 2nd time (dec 2011), because landowners are angry due to plain and open logging happening, despite valid court orders.
6. First gunfight happened in Oct 2011. Governor James Gau told landowners to stop violence, and use proper channels. Note that James Gau is the BROTHER of Fuguman Gau, and also part of the affected landowners. But he is also the governor of Madang. James himself told landowners to stop violence, and proper channels (court system).
7. Logging continues due to G&S Limited having task force police at campsite, and support from some landowners who want royalty for christmas/new year.
8. G&S Limited fails to submit monthly logging volume report to Forestry Madang.
Due to court order Dec 2011, preventing production and export of logs in disputed area. If the monthly logging records are submitted to Forestry Madang, G&S Limited will be formally in contempt of court order Dec 2011. G&S Limited is better off keeping production figures a secret.They'll be able to deny that the logs are harvested from disputed areas.
9. 6th Feb 2012, log vessel arrives at madang port for inwards clearance. A barge also arrives for inwards clearance.
10. Log vessel and barge sails to Block 1, Raicoast, and proceeds with loading of logs for export.
11. Loading authorization issued by Forestry Madang, due to directive from Forestry HQ Moresby.
12. 7th Feb 2012, Fuguman Gau, with the help of police, serves Dec 2011 court order on Captains of both vessels.
13. 7th Feb 2012, Fuguman Gau also serves copy of court order Dec 2011 on Forestry Madang. Forestry Madang head, Mrs Eileen, issues loading suspension.
This where things get interesting.
14. 8th Feb 2012, G&S Limited mysteriously produces their court order,staying Fuguman Gau Dec 2011 court order.
15. G&S Limited court order allows for harvest and export of logs, until further hearing in Madang courthouse. Earlier hearing date is 13th Feb 2012.
16. With this new court order, G&S Limited continues with loading of log vessel and barge.
Here are the facts that shows the huge mistake that G&S Limited made, in their haste to complete logging.
1. Fuguman Gau obtains court order on 9th Dec 2011.
2. G&S Limited court order was (supposedly) obtained on 23rd Dec 2011.
3. G&S Limited court order was obtained with the help of lawyers based in Madang.
4. G&S Limited was served court order on 10th Dec 2011 by Fuguman Gau (served on campsite manager).
5. Forestry Madang was also given copy of Fuguman court order on 10th Dec 2011.
6. G&S Limited NEVER PRODUCED their court order in their defense, in Dec 2011, or Jan 2012.
7. G&S Limited ONLY produced their court order on 8th Feb 2012, when the vessel captain was served by Fuguman Gau on 7th Feb 2012. And also when their loading authorization was revoked by Forestry Madang on 7th Feb 2012.
8. According to customs staff, and forestry staff, they have never seen G&S limited court order, until 8th Feb 2012.
9. G&S Limited only obtained the court order on Feb 2012, and backdated it to 23rd Dec 2011.
10. G&S Limited cannot backdate it EARLIER than 23rd Dec 2011, because Fuguman Gau court order is valid for AT LEAST 14 days from 9th Dec 2011. Before G&S Limited can challenge it.
11. G&S Limited also cannot backdate it LATER than 25th Dec 2011, because it's a long weekend of national holidays (christmas 25th, sat, sun, easter). And the national court will be on recess on 1st jan 2012 till 1st Feb 2012.
12. There is also no time for G&S to get intervention from Moresby supreme court, because of the political upheaval in Moresby in Dec 2011 and Jan 2012.
13. Furthermore, it is VERY UNLIKELY that Goroka national courthouse is open on the 23rd Dec 2011, TWO DAYS before long christmas holiday.
14. It is also VERY UNLIKELY that G&S Limited can find a lawyer to take their case TWO DAYS before christmas.
15. If the true date is put, which is Feb 2012, G&S Limited would be in contempt for harvesting and exporting logs since Dec 2011 and Jan 2012. In defiance of Fuguman Gau court order.
16. G&S Limited has also never submitted any production records since Dec 2011. This allows them to
(a) break court order dec 2011 (no one can tell source of logs)
(b) shortchange landowners for royalty (declaring lower grade species, and different volume)
(c) backdate records after breaking court order, so they will get away from any financial liabilities.
17. To export ALL the logs that they harvested, G&S Limited has no choice except to backdate the court order as far back as possible. In their case, it's 23rd Dec 2011.
18. G&S Limited only produced their court order on 8th Feb 2012, despite (supposedly) having it since 23rd Dec 2011.
In summary,
1. G&S Limited only rushed to obtain the court order on 8th Feb 2012.
2. They have no choice but to backdate to 23rd Dec 2011, to export the maximum possible logs.
3. It's very unlikely for the courthouse to be open on 23rd Dec 2011, or for lawyers to be available on 23rd Dec 2011.
4. G&S Limited HAVE PURPOSELY not submitted any production report, to get away with maximum shipment of illegal logs
5. G&S Limited only produced court order on 8th Feb 2012, when their loading was shut down.
G&S Limited have dug their own grave, making serious mistakes, in their desperation to export their illegally harvested logs.
PS You requested these information:
(a) volume of shipment
(b) area logged (in hectares)
(c) who brought in the contractor G&S Limited
(d) what arrangement
Answers:
(a) Volume of shipment
I'm unable to provide this answer. As mentioned in my past emails, G&S Limited has failed to submit compulsory monthly harvest records.
And they get away with this because Forestry Moresby is overriding Forestry Madang
There's a sizeable amount of undersized kwila and taun logs (banned from export under Forestry Act), which they are still exporting.
(b) Area logged (in hectares)
Referring to maps of logging area in Block 1, they applied for only the colored area. of 607 HA.
But that area is the mountaneous area. Lousy species (softwood) Instead, G&S Limited is logging OUTSIDE the applied area (NON COLORED), because of the more valuable hardwood in the non-mountain areas.
(c) Who brought in G&S Limited
The culprit is one faction of the permit holder for the logging area, Raicoast Holdings Ltd.
Raicoast Holdings brief history
1. The logging rights is held by a company, Raicoast Holdings Ltd 2. Raicoast Holdings Ltd is NOT a ILG company. It's a general trading company 3. The directors of Raicoast Holdings DOES NOT represent landowners from within the logging area 4. Instead, they are made of paper landowners from Madang 5. Raicoast Holdings got the logging permit, due to political connection
6. Since 1998, all the royalty paid has been mismanaged and abused.
None have flowed down to the villagers in the logging area.
7. There's been constant in-fighting among directors, for the money.
8. 10 years later, the resource owners in the logging area are opposed to logging, since they don't see any money or benefits.
9. Hence the current situation.
The current ringleader of Raicoast Holdings is Andrew Sallel.
(d) What arrangement
THere is no proper arrangement. It's do or die year for Andrew Sallel and his logging contractor G&S Limited.
There's court decision coming soon (Feb 2012), to remove Andrew Sallel from Raicoast Holdings, due to financial abuse, and illegal shares transfer.
The other directors are going to sue Andrew Sallel for financial mismanagement. He'll have to refund all the stolen Raicoast Holdings premium.
Knowing his time is limited, Andrew Sallel brought G&S Limited.
And together, they are very openly breaking every rule in logging to get the maximum harvest, before his time is up (and G&S Limited with him)
If Andrew Sallel is out by Feb 2012, G&S Limited will be terminated by the other faction of Raicoast Holdings.
This is the reason why G&S Limited is willing to take so much risk, break so many rules, and do illegal logging outside of the approved areas.
Time is running out. For Andrew and G&S.
Believe it or not, Andrew and G&S limited conduct is so bad, by logging standards, that Rimbunan Hijau (RH) is showing concerns over what they are doing.Because in the event of any investigations, the repercussions may also affect RH (because RH logging area is very near to Raicoast)

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