AUTHORITIES have seized a total of P696,360 worth of illegally cut lumber in Northern Samar towns following an intensified anti-logging operation in the province.
"Our collaborative efforts with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in our campaign against illegal logging is intensified with the support of the community which resulted in our gains from this illegal activity," said Colonel Arnel Apud, director of Northern Samar Police Provincial Office.
On Sunday, March 14, 2021, elements of Northern Samar Provincial Special Operation Group and Allen Municipal Police Station apprehended a trailer truck loaded with sawn lumber in Allen port area.
Police said the driver failed to present proper transport documents of the lumber worth P79,360.
The confiscation came after the seizure of P117,000 worth of illegal lumbers in nearby San Isidro town.
On March 12, authorities also confiscated 151 flitches of lawaan lumber worth P500,000 loaded in a wing van from Bobon town bound to Legazpi City in Bicol Region due to lack of pertinent transport documents.
The owners of the confiscated illegal lumber will face charges in violation of Presidential Decree 705, or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)