92 arrested, nearly P7M worth of illegally-cut logs, lumbers seized in Caraga
CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City -- The regional command of Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) announced late Thursday afternoon the arrest of 92 suspects and confiscation of almost P6,950,952.42 worth of undocumented forest products during intensified anti-illegal logging drive in the region from January 1 to June 15, 2023.
The anti-illegal logging operations in the different areas in the five provinces and six cities in Northeastern Mindanao or The Caraga Region led to the confiscation of 169,542.02 board feet of illegally sawn logs, flitches and lumbers.
Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) got the highest number of arrests with 40 and confiscated P2,037,250.92 worth of forest products, followed by Surigao del Norte PPO with 22 arrests and P292,132.00 worth of confiscated logs or lumber, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 with 10 arrested persons and P1,658,117.15 worth of forest products.
On June 12, two separate anti-illegal logging operations in Butuan City led to the arrest of a suspect and confiscation of 7,798.4 board feet of undocumented *narra* and *lauan* lumber worth P470,920.
Meanwhile, a suspect was arrested in Barangay Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte after operatives seized 3,200 board feet of assorted *lauan* lumber worth P224,000 on Wednesday, June 14.
PRO 13 Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra ll told The Manila Bulletin on Thursday, June 15, that the forest protection drive will continue without letup in different areas in the region, particularly in “hot spot” areas.
“The protection of our environment and natural resources is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the community,” the region’s top cop said.
“Let us sustain these substantial gains through our unified efforts to safeguard the quality of life for both present and future generations,” Brig. Gen. Labra added.