A CLOSED van filled with undocumented lumber was seized on Tuesday evening, May 22, at a checkpoint in Barangay Lasang, Bunawan District in Davao City.
In a report from Task Force Davao, 188 pieces of Lawaan lumber were inside the Isuzu Elf van with a name painted on its exterior, "YLK Logistics."
Linkon Yu, the owner of the vehicle, failed to provide the necessary documents and travel permit to prove that they were authorized to transport the lumber.
After the interrogation, they were accosted by the Davao City Environment and Natural Resources personnel and the driver was directed to open the van and found 188 pieces or 1,671.21 board feet of Lawaan lumber.
Authorities also found at the tail end of the vehicle nine cartons, three sacks and four cellophanes of expired laundry products which were believed to be used to conceal the illegal lumbers.
The lumber products were turned over to Jamel Limpao, Forester II Chief FPLEV CENRO, Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bangkal, Davao City.
DENR, in coordination with the security officers, joined forces to intensify anti-illegal logging operations in Davao region. Together with different government agencies, they launched the Regional Task Force against Environmental Crimes last April 26.
The task force is formed to take action for any abuses or violations against the environment. It is composed of the Philippine National Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Armed Forces of the Philippines and DENR. (JCR with PR)