Soldiers seize hot logs in Agusan River

THE 26th Infantry Battalion, Talacogon police and members of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (AILTF) seized illegally-cut logs at Adgawan River, La Paz, and Ihaoan and Johnson River in Agusan del Sur on Monday.

A total of 62 cubic meters of assorted logs composed of dipterocarp (lauan), bagtikan, tangile, mayapis and almond with an estimated value of P308,000, were allegedly on its way to the processing plants of unidentified owners. The illegally-cut logs were intercepted in the river of Agusan del Sur.

The seized logs have been turned over to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office in San Agustin, Talacogon.

“It has been our commitment to protect our environment. We are also compelled to help in this campaign by virtue of the Executive Order No. 23, declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and secondary forests nationwide. This EO also provided the creation of Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force wherein the Armed Forces is a member. Aside from this, it is also our responsibility to the next generation -- to pass on to them abundant resources for their development,” 4th Infantry Division commander Victor Felix said.

Colonel Ronald Albano, Commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, also said the military are the partner of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force Kalikasan and all other groups who are bent on protecting and caring the environment.

“We support the anti-illegal logging campaign of our government, which aims to protect the remaining forest resources and other endangered species found in the country. We are committed to help in the implementation of measure to end illegal logging that will further prevent reoccurrence of natural disaster,” Albano said.

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Leonard Gille, Commanding Officer of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion, claimed they are serious in helping the Penro and the Province of Agusal del Sur in their campaign against illegal logging.

“The people doing this must realize that they have to stop this before it’s too late. Let us not wait for another killer flood and landslide. Let us protect the trees in our forest,” Gille said.