ILOILO CITY – Forest rangers recently seized highly valued agarwood worth P2.1 million and arrested 10 poachers in Aklan province.
A FOREST ranger inspects highly valued agarwood illegally harvested in Aklan. (DENR PENRO-Aklan)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said almost four kilos of agarwood were recovered by forest rangers in Malinao and Nabas towns in January and late December.
While propagating agarwood is legal, DENR-6 Regional Director Livino Duran said that harvesting and trading this type of fragrant resinous wood is regulated.
Duran said that permits must be secured for harvesting and eventual trading.
The running price of agarwood, an ingredient for perfumes and incense, is around P750,000 per kilo.
Last January, park rangers of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP) in Nabas found more than 2.63 kilograms of agarwood with an estimated market value of P1.97 million.
In December, the Lawin Patrol Sector No. 3 of the DENR-Aklan Provincial Environment Office led by Engr. Jurlie Zubiaga and Nina Fritz Cahilig seized 1.35 kilograms of agarwood with a market value of P216,000 from 10 poachers.
Police backed the DENR in both operations. In Nabas, the DENR was supported by the local police and the 2nd Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company headed by Police Lt. Col. Donnel Regis.