P400K ILLEGALLY CUT LOGS SEIZED IN CARAGA

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), intensifies its efforts in protecting the environment and apprehended four timber poachers and confiscated illegally cut logs worth P427,500 on June 7, 2021.

Police Regional Office 13 regional director BGen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr. commended the joint operations of PNP personnel and DENR who intercepted three wing van trucks bearing plate numbers NGP 4428, RHT 685, and CBN 3740 loaded with undocumented forest products in different dimensions. The volume of the forest products was estimated to 2,000 board feet and an estimated market value of P200,000.

According to BGen. Caramat, the intercepted cargoes were covered with huge sacks of rice hull.

The joint personnel of Surigao City Police Station, PNP Maritime, Port Police, DENR, and Philippine Coast Guard conducted an anti-illegal logging operation in the Port of Lipata in Barangay Lipata, Surigao City. They arrested Renz Piano Cabayao, 31, single, driver, Caraga INFOCUS

and a resident of Barangay Alibonan, Calinog, Iloilo City; and Rogelio Tan Doble, 55, self-employed, married, and a resident of Barangay San Antonio, Agdao, Davao City while their associates are at large and managed to evade arrest.

On the other hand, operatives of Butuan City Police Station 4, Sibagat Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and DENR-Sub Monitoring Office in Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City flagged down a reported white Isuzu Wing Van traveling from Esperanza, Agusan del Sur to Butuan City in Purok 1, Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City.

The authorities discovered that the wing van was illegally transporting forest products commonly known as “Lauan” with an estimated volume of 6,500 board feet and an estimated market value of P227,500. was identified as Bryan Maycong Lovinario, 29, married, and a resident of Purok Ilang-ilang, Brgy. Sarabia, Koronadal City together with his helper Jear Madelo Halop, 22, single and a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Mount Carmel, Bayugan City. The suspects failed to present any pertinent documents to authorities.

“We urge the public to be vigilant and help us protect our environment by reporting any suspected illegal logging activities in their localities and we will deal with them with the full force of law,” said BGen. Caramat.

Cases for violation of P.D. 705 “Otherwise known as the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines,” and EO 23 “Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force” are filed against the suspect. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, PRO13 PIO/PIASurigao del Norte) June 5-11, 2021 | 29