By Restituto Cayubit
TACLOBAN CITY – Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Samar have confiscated over 39,000 pieces of freshly cut dipterocarp lumber with an estimated value of P1.9 million in a series of anti-timber poaching operations in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
Members of the operatives from the DENR and PNP Northern Samar who seized a total of 39, 500.75 board feet lumber in different locations in Brgy. San Isidro and Balite, San Isidro, Northern Samar. The operation was conducted pursuant to Secretary Cimatu’s instruction to intensify the monitoring of illegal activities amidst the COVID-19 crisis. (DENR-8 /via Restituto Cayubit)
According to DENR Region 8 Director Tirso P. Parian Jr., teams from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Northern Samar and the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) conducted the operations from April 24 to 26.
Parian reported that the joint DENR-PNP operation resulted in the seizure of 8,605 board feet of assorted lumber and flitches and 78 pieces of boat keels equivalent to 30,895.75 board feet. Said lumber which totaled to 39,500.75 board feet has an estimated value of P1,975,037.50.
Parian said that “investigation continues on the seized illegal lumber. Administrative and criminal cases will be filed against perpetrators for violation of Section 77 of PD 705”.