The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources has filed charges against Motortrade Co., before the regional trial court Branch 51 in Sorsogon City, Philippines for violation of Presidential Decree 953, which prohibits the nailing of anything, including advertisements, on trees which could cause injury to them.

The law states that "any person who cuts, destroys, damages or injures naturally growing or planted trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and shrubs, or plants of scenic, aesthetic and ecological values... shall be punished with imprisonment."

Oscar Dominguez of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources said the motorcycle firm has repeatedly refused a request from their office to remove its advertising paraphernalia nailed to trees along the national highway.

Instead, the company continued to put more paraphernalia up by nailing them on trees.

The Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee contacted the DENR after it documented numerous advertising paraphernalia posted on trees in violation of the arbor law.

Dominguez said the case against Motortrade is a test-case for the obscure law since this is the first time the DENR is using it.

City Prosecutor Valentine Pura, who filed the case, said the DENR must also file similar charges against politicians who nail their campaign paraphernalia on tress during election time.

Motortrade tried to settle the case out of court, but the complainants rejected their offer.

The DENR official said they hoped that this would serve as a stern warning to all not to break the law.