CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Police Regional Office-13 seized illegally cut lumber valued at P382,400 in Surigao City on Thursday, October 19.
THE Police Regional Office-13 seized illegally cut lumber in Butuan City valued at P382,000 in Surigao City on Thursday, October 19.
Three suspected illegal loggers were arrested in the operation, PRO-13 Regional Public Information Officer Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.
Acting on a report from a concerned citizen, police flagged down a wing van truck loaded with 3,814.6 board feet of lauan lumber valued at P220,459.0559 in Barangay Taft. Hours later, police intercepted another wing van truck in Barangay Taft loaded with 3,814.6 board feet of yakal lumber worth P161,942.40.
The suspects – two drivers alias “Ken” and “Ben” and an assistant, alias “Man” – were taken into custody after they failed to present documents for their cargo, Ometer said. “Suspects will face charges for violating Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines,” Ometer added.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft ordered field units to step up the anti-illegal logging campaign, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to protect and preserve the environment and remaining forest cover in the Caraga region.
“May these accomplishments send a clear message against those who abuse and destroy our natural resources,” he said. “Together with the DENR, we are closely monitoring such illegal activities.”