PERSONNEL of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), backed by policemen, have seized illegally-cut forest products in the municipality of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, an official said Tuesday, April 13.

DENR Regional Information Officer Rosevirico Tan said the illegally-cut forest products were seized last week by the monitoring and enforcement personnel of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Liloy along with policemen in Tilubog village, Tampilisan.

Tan said there was no apprehension of the people behind the illegal cutting as the forest product, consisting of 143 pieces Mayapis lumber, were abandoned upon sensing the presence of lawmen.

Tan said the Mayapis lumber, which is around 1,147.6 board feet, is estimated to have a value of P45,906.67.

He said the lumber were confiscated since it is in violation of Section 78 of Presidential Decree 705 (Forestry Code of the Philippines) as amended by Republic Act 7161.

He said the illegally-cut lumber are now deposited at DENR sub-station in Gatas village, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte.

He said investigation is underway to determine who were behind the cutting of the Mayapis timber. (SunStar Zamboanga)