AUTHORITIES over the weekend arrested six persons for illegal logging and fishing in different provinces of Caraga region.
Some P53,632.75 worth of illegal logs were seized in an anti-illegal logging operation.
Police, meanwhile, nabbed three individuals for illegal fishing.
In Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur, Edison Dagwan, 27 years old, a resident of Barangay Wasian, Rosario, ADS, was arrested through the conduct of joint operation of Rosario Municipal Police Station.
Confiscated from him were 25 pieces mixed dipterocarp lumber with estimated volume of 185.31 board footage (bd. ft.) and market value of P14,632.75.
In Barangay Manyayay, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, police confiscated one red RUSI 125 motorcycle with side car loaded with 21 pieces of Mahogany lumber with total volume of 243 bd. ft. and market value of P4,860.
Police arrested suspect George Duhac, 24, a resident of Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, SDS.
Police in San Miguel municipal police station confiscated electric ban saw machine and Narra lumber with estimated volume of 700 bd. ft. with market value of P31,500.
Winefredo Cuartero, 46 years old, and Larry Canal, 53 years old, both residents of Brgy. Poblacion, San Miguel, SDS, were arrested.
In Barangay Manyayay, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, operatives arrested Gringco Tejero and Romeo Tejero.
Confiscated from them were one black RUSI 150 motorcycle with side car loaded with 10 pieces Lauan lumber with an estimated volume of 120 bd. ft. and market value of P2,640.
A certain Nelfer Orillaneda was also arrested in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur for Violation of RA No. 10654, otherwise known as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
Erlando Madera of Dapa, Surigao del Norte and Ray Solitana of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur were also nabbed for the same violation.
Police Brigadier General Gilberto Cruz, Caraga Police regional director, assured the community that the whole police force and other government agencies would go after small/large-scale environmental offenders and that the laws on environmental protection are strictly implemented.