AUTHORITIES over the weekend intercepted a wing van bound for Cagayan de Oro City and loaded with Lauan logs worth around P1 million along the national highway in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.
Members of the Jasaan town police and personnel from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cugman, this city, jointly conducted operation against illegal logging.
This resulted to the arrest of Erickson Lacandale,40, resident living in Magsaysay corner Del Pilar streets, this city and John Carlo Tare, 23, from Don Carlos, Bukidnon.
Investigation showed that the truck was from Surigao del Sur and was traversing the highway in Kimaya, Jasaan when flagged down by the authorities.
The truck, driven by Lacandale with Tare as helper, was loaded with 493 Lauan woods in assorted dimension. The total volume of the wood was 9,441.65 board feet as scaled by personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Police said the alleged owner of the confiscated items is Tirso Olivar of Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Jasaan town Police Chief Senior Inspector Dennis Ebsolo said they already received an information from Caraga region that the said vehicle will deliver lauan woods in Baloy.
“Naa daw ni siya'y deliveran nga dako nga establishment sa Cagayan de Oro (he said that he will deliver it to a big establishment here in Cagayan de Oro),” Ebsolo said.
He said that Lauan woods are under a moratorium since it is classified as a hard wood, which requires a permit under executive order 23, when it is used and delivered for commercial purposes.
Police said the driver, helper and owner will face criminal charges for violation of section 77 of Presidential Decree 705.
“Gahulat na lang ta sa (we are just waiting for a) resolution sa (from the) prosecutors office kay na file naman nato ang complaint (because the complaint has been filed),” Ebsolo said.