Soldiers seize illegally cut logs

DIFFERENT units under the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID) seized illegally cut logs in four separate incidents in Agusan del Sur and del Norte early this year.

The joint anti-illegal logging operation of the 4ID units resulted in the confiscation of 115.99 cubic meters lauan logs, 7.6 cubic meters falcate logs and 19.79 cubic meters of assorted logs, which totaled 143.38 cubic meters with an estimated value of P627,918.

On January 3, 22 pieces of assorted round logs were discovered at Ojot River in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur while 61 assorted round logs were confiscated in Barangay Langag also in Esperanza on January 4.

On January 6, 236 pieces of assorted round logs were also discovered in Barangay Sta. Ines, San Luis, Agusan del Sur while 212 pieces lauan logs were intercepted in Barangay Mahogany, Butuan City.

The anti-illegal logging operations in Agusan del Sur were undertaken by the troops of the 26th Infantry “Ever Onward” Battalion while the operation in Agusan del Norte was made through the efforts of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion.

All operations were done in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government units.

“Our efforts are a continuing reminder or warning to illegal loggers to stop abusing our natural resources especially our forest reserve. This needs to be stopped before it gets back to us. The calamities that passed must be our lesson that we must give importance to our environment because in time, our environment may mitigate or aggravate the effects of natural calamities to our lives and properties," said Colonel Ronald N. Albano, commander of the 402nd Brigade. (PR)