Environment Secretary Michael Defensor was quoted in a government statement as saying that the complaints would be filed against the owners of two logging firms, Green Circle Company and Inter-Pacific Forest Resources, along their employees, financiers and alleged contractors.

He said that these firms had engaged in illegal logging near the eastern province of Quezon, which contributed to the massive flash floods and landslides that hit three Quezon towns in November, leaving over 1,000 dead and missing.

Three district officials who allegedly took part in the scheme will also face criminal complaints while 15 village chairmen who failed to cooperate in the investigation will face administrative charges, Defensor was quoted as saying.

He said the department was able to convince eight private individuals to serve as government witnesses in the case.

President Gloria Arroyo in December had ordered a special government task force to identify and prosecute major illegal loggers blamed for the deadly landslides.