Illegally-cut logs seized

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Authorities confiscated at least 300 board feet of allegedly illegally-sliced timber in M’lang town in North Cotabato around 11 a.m., Friday.

Inspector Edwin Lacostales, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in North Cotabato, said at least six persons, including owners of chainsaws, were caught cutting Dao trees at Barangay Katipunan, M'lang.

The trees were planted near Lika River, a tributary of Malasila River, one of the two biggest rivers in M'lang town.

A Dao tree, according to environment officials, is a tropical rainforest whose quality is like Molave, which is considered a hardwood.

Lacostales said chainsaw owners had no permits to cut trees. Also, the chainsaws are unlicensed.

Moreover, the CIDG in North Cotabato was able to monitor the cutting of trees in Barangay Katipunan after they received a tip from a civilian investigation service assigned in the area.

A team was immediately dispatched to the area and caught at least six persons slicing into timber the Dao tree.

Lacostales identified the suspects as brothers Ruben and Juan Remo; chainsaw owners Edgar Aguirre and Pedro Pecoy; and helpers Taib Taligtig and Marcelo Maghari.

Charges for violation of Forestry Reform Code and Chainsaw Act of 2002 against the suspects would be filed on Monday, CIDG said.