AUTHORITIES have recovered close to P50,000 worth of illegally cut lumbers abandoned in three areas in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Police Colonel Eduard Mallo, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the illegally cut lumbers were recovered in the towns of Titay, Kabasalan and Diplahan.

Mallo said around 440.67 board feet of illegally cut coconut lumbers worth P11,848 and a chainsaw were recovered around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, along the side of the road in Kitabog village, Titay.

The recovered coconut lumbers and chainsaw were turned over to Philippine Coconut Authority for proper disposition.

Mallo said around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, some 860 board feet of Red Lawaan lumbers of different dimension worth P34,400 were recovered in Little Baguio village, Kabasalan.

The lumbers were turned over to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, Mallo said some 42.67 board feet of Gemelina lumber worth P1,493.25 were also recovered around 4:10 p.m. in Purok 2, Mejo village, Diplahan.

The recovered lumbers were handed over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay for proper disposition.

Mallo said investigation is ongoing to determine the owners of the lumbers that were abandoned to avoid penalties. (SunStar Zamboanga)