NUEVA VIZCAYA – Two loggers were arrested while one was able to escape after authorities caught them in the act of illegally cutting Gmelina trees in a mountainous area in Barangay Nagcuartelan, Aritao in this province on Tuesday afternoon.
Major Nova Lyn Aggasid, Information officer of Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office (NVPPO), said that authorities actually witnessed the suspects as they cut down Gmelina trees near the dump site at the mountainous area located at Brgy Nagcuartelan.
The raiders proceeded to the area after a confidential informant reported the illegal activities of the three suspects, including a former forest ranger of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Unfortunately, the retired forest ranger identified as Ferdinand Alvaro, 62, of Brgy Banganan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya managed to escape the authorities.
Two of his companions identified as Ismael Tibunsay, alias Boyet, 55, chainsaw operator and resident of Purok Pariir, Brgy Comon, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya and Joel Ramos y Biaganalias Tukol, 39, helper and resident of Purok Bagbag, Brgy Poblacion, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya were arrested.
Police said that upon learning of on-going illegal logging, operatives were immediately dispatched and raided the area, resulting in the arrest of the two suspects.
The raiders confiscated the chainsaw and seven pieces round logs of Gmelina trees.
The suspects failed to present any documents/ certification from the DENR that would allow them to cut trees. They also failed to show proof of registration of the chainsaw.
“Kaya naman malakas ang loob na magsagawa ng illegal logging dahil isang empleado dati ng DENR ang kasabwat,” a resident who requested not to be named said.
Police are looking into other possibilities that the former DENR employee is also involved in previous illegal logging in the mountainous area in Nueva Vizcaya.
The two suspects are now facing charges in violation of RA 9175, otherwise known as the Chainsaw Act of 2002, an act which regulates the ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of chain saws, penalizing violations thereof, and PD 705 (Revised Forestry Code).