As part of its conservation efforts not only at the Ipo Dam area but in all the watershed areas in the mountain towns of Bulacan, authorities have arrested two illegal loggers in an operation they conducted on Sunday, September 19, at Ipo Dam Road in Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Col. Lawrence B. Cajipe, Bulacan police director, identified the arrested suspects as Renato Patulot and Jennifer Sarandona, both of legal age, of San Mateo village, Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Investigation showed that joint elements of Norzagaray police, the Anti-Illegal Task Force Luzon (AILTF Luzon), 2nd Bulacan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and 24th SAC Special Action Force, conducted an anti-illegal logging buy-bust operation at Ipo Dam Gate at about 11:50 p.m. on Sunday.
After the poseur buyer handed over the buy-bust money to the suspects in exchange for illegally cut logs, the operatives introduced themselves as police officers and arrested the suspects.
Recovered from the suspects were assorted Teak wood and Kamagong logs as well as the buy-bust money.
The arrested suspects were brought to the Norzagaray police station for proper documentation while appropriate criminal complaints against them are being prepared for filing in court.