BUTUAN CITY – Authorities seized illegally cut lumber and logs worth P545,786.50 from July 9 to 15 in the provinces of Surigao and Agusan del Sur.
The Police Regional Office-13 Regional Operations Division said eight suspected illegal loggers were arrested and 8,170.27 board feet of assorted logs and lumber were recovered in 10 anti-illegal logging operations.
Suspects face charges for violation of Presidential Decree 705, the Forestry Code of the Philippines, PRO 13-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer Ometer said.
Confiscated forest products were deposited in designated areas of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Ometer said.
She said that these accomplishments mirror the success of united efforts in the campaign against illegal logging activities that not only destroy and deplete the environment but also impair the economy through lost revenues.