CORDILLERA police arrested two individuals for illegal logging and confiscated P152,942.98 worth of lumber during its operation from June 26 to July 9.
During the operation, a total of 4,969.82 total volume of board feet of lumber was also captured.
Elpidio Ortiz Molina Jr., 39, a resident of Brgy. Pakiling, Bucay, Abra who was driving his vehicle loaded with Acacia lumber was arrested after he was intercepted along Patiao, Peñarrubia, Abra last July 7.
Ten pieces of Acacia flitches with a total volume of 163.99 board feet was confiscated by the responding personnel of Peñarrubia Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Meanwhile, by virtue of a search warrant, Rodolfo Agustin Tegui-in, 57, was nabbed in his residence at Namillangan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao last July 4 after a total volume of 4,124 board feet of lumber with an estimated market value of P123,743 was seized in his residence.
The suspects together with the seized items are now under the custody of the concerned operating units while appropriate cases were filed against them in court.
Police Regional Office–Cordillera regional director Chief Superintendent Rogelio Nana has directed all police units to conduct relentless drive against illegal logging have lessened the disreputable activities of illegal loggers.
Nana added other concerned agencies had already filed charges against persons arrested or responsible in the illegal activity and will continue to be effective in this campaign with the hope the community will be vigilant to help the police by reporting any violation of forestry laws.