Tenerife Honors Civil Guard and Seprona for Mountain Conservation Efforts
The Cabildo of Tenerife hosted a reception on Tuesday afternoon in the Noble Hall of the Insular Palace to recognise the Civil Guard, particularly focusing on Seprona, for their exceptional efforts in fire management and in resolving three significant investigations that led to the apprehension of three suspected arsonists responsible for igniting fires in the mountainous areas of several municipalities on the island.
The gathering, led by Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, included the Colonel Chief of the Civil Guard in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ángel Sanz Coronado; the Lieutenant Colonel Chief of Judicial Police and Information, Diego Comino González; the insular vice president Lope Afonso; the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; and the subdelegate of the Government, Jesús Javier Plata.
This event also united institutional representatives, members of the Civil Guard, and environmental protection personnel to commend the diligent work of Seprona and its dedication to safeguarding the island’s natural resources and biodiversity, as stated in a note from the Cabildo.
During the occasion, Rosa Dávila conveyed the gratitude of the Cabildo and the entire community to the Civil Guard and Seprona for their relentless efforts, emphasising the bravery and professionalism displayed by the officers in every operation.
“Today is a day of appreciation and recognition in this Insular Palace, where we gather to express, on behalf of all the people of Tenerife, our most heartfelt thanks to the Civil Guard and, particularly, to Seprona,” proclaimed Dávila.
She added, “this unit has earned the respect and admiration of our society not only through its tireless work but also for its strong commitment to protecting something as invaluable as our land, our mountains, our biodiversity, and the safety of our citizens.”
Lope Afonso remarked that “such events are straightforward yet poignant, with the emotion stemming from the scope of the recognition. It is indeed true that one of the motivations is the opportunity to directly thank the force for those notably important actions that have recently contributed to the well-being of the island and the preservation of the natural environment.”
DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY
The vice president asserted, “this is an acknowledgement of the extensive efforts they have undertaken on our island and an affirmation of their dedication to our people. This commitment is not only recognised here; beyond our borders, other security forces also appreciate the value and prestige of the work of the Civil Guard, which is equally esteemed by the citizens of Tenerife.”
Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo, elaborated on Seprona’s recent involvement in three particularly complex and pivotal investigations aimed at protecting the mountains of Tenerife.
In July 2023, three fires erupted in a single night, devastating iconic locations in Vilaflor de Chasna and San Miguel de Abona, impacting areas of significant natural value such as Pino Gordo, La Vera, and Cho Pancho.
“Thanks to the professionalism and diligence of Seprona, in collaboration with the Central Operational Unit for the Environment (UCOMA), the apprehension of a suspected perpetrator was achieved in July 2024, identified through meticulous testing that also facilitated the establishment of preventive measures to avert future occurrences,” explained Dávila.
In the instance of La Escalona, situated in the municipality of Vilaflor, Seprona conducted an in-depth investigation into a series of fifteen fires that transpired from August 2023 to June 2024, affecting both urban infrastructures and agricultural as well as forest lands significantly.
This inquiry culminated in the arrest of an individual found in possession of items potentially used to ignite fires, such as lighters and flammable materials.
Dávila remarked that this operation “reinforces Seprona’s commitment to safeguarding the environment of Tenerife and demonstrates that the force does not only focus on surveillance but also acts systematically to address these environmental crimes.”
The third case, occurring in the municipality of El Rosario in July 2024, involved two fires in the La Esperanza area, which ravaged over five hectares of vegetation in Barranco La Huerta.
COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION
Seprona’s detailed investigation enabled the agents to pinpoint the precise origin of the fire, which aided in collecting compelling evidence leading to the arrest of the suspected offender, who is currently in preventive custody.
“Each of these investigations illustrates Seprona’s commitment and resolve to protect our natural resources and ensure the tranquillity of citizens,” stated Dávila, underscoring that “these operations have not only allowed for the apprehension of those accountable for these serious incidents but have also restored peace and security to the residents of Tenerife.”
The president further mentioned that since the arrests of these “suspected arsonists,” no similar fires have occurred thereafter, “which is attributable to the tireless, thorough, and devoted work of Seprona and the Civil Guard.”
The Colonel, Ángel Sanz Coronad, expressed gratitude to the Tenerife Cabildo for this honour and emphasised the significance of collaboration between the Civil Guard and local authorities in the safeguarding of the island.
“These accomplishments are the outcome of a collective endeavour and an unwavering commitment we share to the security and conservation of Tenerife, an island we proudly serve,” stated the colonel, who noted that “the work of the specialists within the Civil Guard alongside Seprona extends beyond mere environmental monitoring, as it necessitates technical training and investigative precision that enables us to not only identify those responsible for these incidents but also to foresee future threats.”
The president of the Cabildo concluded the event by reaffirming the importance of this collaboration and the “unshakeable” commitment of Seprona to the conservation of the environment and the safety of the citizens.
“This partnership is vital for the preservation of our environment and the peace of mind for those who reside here. To all Seprona agents, I extend our sincerest gratitude on behalf of the Tenerife Cabildo. Their rigour, discipline, and daily commitment are the foundation upon which the protection of our island relies,” concluded Dávila.
