seven suspected mountaineer on Mt. Pulag forest fire will face charges- Cimatu The perpetrators of the forest fire that destroyed more than five hectares of grassland, including luscious grass and dwarf bamboo plants, inside the Mt. Pulag National Park in Benguet province last Saturday will be facing criminal charges to be file by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Section 78 of the Revised Forestry Code penalizes anyone who occupies, possesses and/or causes destruction to forest or grazing lands. This criminal offense includes negligently causing a fire within forest or grazing lands. Initial investigation revealed that the caused of blaze was from an explosion of butane gas stove used by a group of hikers from Cebu. Regional Director Ralph Pablo of the DENR-Cordillera Administrative Region said seven mountaineers led by a certain Kristomar Mackay could face criminal charges for violation of Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System