PERSONNEL of the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) backed by policemen have arrested two people for illegally cutting trees in the province, an official said Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

Rosevirico Tan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional information officer, said the two suspects, whose names were withheld, were arrested Saturday, October 31, in Purok Madasigon, Banale village, Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur province.

Tan said the arresting team has also confiscated from the suspects a chainsaw and 164.42 board feet of Teak flitches with an estimated value of P8,221.

He said the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of chainsaw and flitches came after the Penro and police received an anonymous call about “an ongoing tree cutting near the Comprehensive Elementary School.”

Tan said the two suspects will be charged for violations of Section 68 of Presidential Decree 705 and Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002. (SunStar Zamboanga)