BUTUAN CITY – Forty-two persons were arrested for illegal logging and illegal gambling in the Agusan and Surigao provinces from July 19 to 23.
ILLEGALLY cut lumber and flitches were seized in Surigao del Norte last week. The PRO-13 have stepped up their anti-illegal logging drive in different areas in Caraga region. (Mike U. Crismundo)
The Police Regional Office-13 said 25 persons, seven bettors, three ushers, and an operator were arrested in 21 anti-illegal gambling operations in Agusan and Surigao.
They were caught playing an illegal card game called "tong-its," mahjong, illegal numbers games such as swertres and Last 2, and cock fighting locally known as “tukis-tukis."
Seized from them was P8,520 in bet money.
They are now under the custody of the arresting police units.
PRO-13 Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said the suspects will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1602 which prescribes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling.
The intensified campaign against illegal logging resulted in the arrest of two suspects in the provinces of Agusan.
Police confiscated a total of 747.39 board feet of assorted illegally cut logs and lumber worth P30,225 from the suspects.
Four persons were arrested for illegal logging in Surigao del Sur where a total of 1,414.63 board feet of illegally cut wood worth P50,450.60 were seized.
Acting on reports from concerned citizens, police together with the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office recovered a total of 1,037.40 board feet or P36,185 worth of illegally obtained assorted forest products abandoned in Surigao del Norte.
Along with the DENR-CENRO, operating units have already filed charges against the suspects for violation of the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines, Ometer added.
“The Caraga police will be more persistent in eradicating these kinds of illegal activities that do not only deteriorate our assets and natural resources but also destroy the lives of those who are bind to the addiction of these vices,” PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said.