TAYABAS CITY, Quezon – Ten alleged illegal loggers were arrested in an operation on Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, in Barangay Kanlurang Domoit, this city.
Police identified the suspects as chainsaw operators Romeo Napili, 50; Ariel Sumilang, 56; and Ubaldo Calabano, 59; and their helpers Ronnel Quinoñes, 30; Jackson Conde, 30; Reggie Napili, 25; Micheal Meñaz, 29; Arjay Begorian, 38; Jay-R Duran Ausa, 32, and Mark Ian Besa, 29. Suspects are all residents of this city.
Lawmen received a report that illegal logging activities were being conducted in the area.
The police intelligence unit here led by Senior Master Sgt. Bernardo Almariego and the Quezon Provincial Intelligence Unit mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of illegally cut maulawin, also known as molave, tree with an estimated volume of 100 board feet and valued at P10,000.
Seized from the suspects were three chainsaws without the necessary permits to operate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Community Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Suspects were turned over to the CENRO-DENR in Barangay Potol here for proper disposition.
They are facing charge for violation of Republic Act 9175 (Chainsaw Act of 2022) and Presidential Decree 705, the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.