CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela -- Joint operatives from the army, police, coast guard, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have seized at least 900 board feet illegally-cut logs in Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Sta. Margarita, Baggao, Cagayan, according to the army’s 5th Infantry Division spokesman, Maj. Noriel Tayaban.
Tayaban said the seized hot lumber, which were flitches of Narra and Kamagong species, were abandoned and submerged underwater.
Army’s 5th Infantry Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Laurence E. Mina commended the joint effort of different government agencies that led to the successful confiscation of the hot lumbers.
“We are mandated as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fully support the all-out-battle of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) against illegal logging within our Area of Responsibility (AOR),” said Mina.
Mina assured that the army will extend all assistance to DENR to stop the illegal logging operations in the area.
“We appeal to the whole community to fully cooperate with the government’s campaign in the protection and preservation of the environment not just for us, but for the next generations to come. We only have one Earth to protect. Let us do our share,” Mina said.