Camp Col Rafael C Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City —— PNP Caraga’s campaign against illegal logging have resulted in the arrest six(6) suspected illegal loggers and confiscation of Php74,620.00 undocumented lumbers yesterday, October 8.
POLICE BRIGADIER GENERAL ROMEO M CARAMAT JR, Director of PRO13 disclosed that Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) intercepted a White Isuzo Elf loaded with suspected illegal cut lumbers and reported it to San Isidro Municipal Police Station (MPS) by then acted upon led to the seizure of illegally cut logs in Purok 4, Brgy. Del Carmen, San Isidro, Surigao del Norte at about 04:15 AM, when they failed to show legal documents of the transported products upon interception.
Apprehended suspects were Isidro E. Sevilla, 57 yrs old, married; Rodel G. Argente, 20 yrs old, single; Cris John C. Coñado, 35 yrs old, married; Arly S. Coñado, 22 yrs old, married; Xid C. Golgat, 20 years old, jobless; and Joel P. Blancada, 23 yrs old, single, all residents of Brgy. Maasin, Pilar, all of Surigao del Norte.
Confiscated from the possession of the suspects are mixed lumbers locally known as “Banabat”, “Lauaan”, “Bagotambis” and “Batobato” in 59 pcs 2x3x12, 8 pcs 2x10x15 and 14 pcs 2x10x12, with an estimated volume of 1,066 bd.ft. and market value of Seventy-Four Thousand Six Hundred Twenty Pesos (Php74,620.00) and 1 unit Isuzu Elf (Truck) with Temporary Plate no. MCV 7063.
“It is imperative that we must stop the destruction of our remaining forest across the region and avoid causing more disasters. The police force is urging local communities to support law enforcement operations including protection of territory and preserving of natural resources,” RD CARAMAT JR said.
Arrested persons are in the custody of San Isidro MPS for proper disposition. While the recovered illegally sawn lumbers and the conveyance will be turned-over to DENR Siargao Office, Dapa, Surigao del Norte for proper disposition.
