THE top police official in Northern Samar has issued a stern warning to illegal loggers in the province following the arrest of seven suspects and the confiscation of P872,500 worth of hot logs and conveyance in San Isidro, Northern Samar last week.
“Paulit-ulit na akong nagbabala na kung hindi kayo hihinto sa illegal na pagtrotroso at pagkawasak ng ating yamang gubat ay siguradong may kalalagyan kayo. Hindi kami titigil ipatupad ang mga batas pang kalikasan at sa aming kampanya laban sa mga lumalapastangan sa ating kalikasan,” warned Colonel Arnel Apud, director of Northern Samar Police Provincial Office.
The police official also urged the public to report any illegal logging activities to authorities.
On Friday, March 26, 2021, elements of San Isidro Municipal Police Station, led by Lieutenant Lyndon Dagalea, intercepted a total of 29 assorted dipterocarp species, 20 boat keels, and a motorized banca worth P400,000.
Operatives caught the suspects in the act of transporting undocumented lumber products along the seawater of Barangay Balite, San Isidro.
On March 23, police arrested seven suspects and seized 800 pieces of “lawaan” worth P239,999 in Bobon.
Elements of Northern Samar Provincial Special Operation Group and Allen Municipal Police Station also apprehended a trailer truck loaded with P79,360 worth of sawn lumber in Allen port area on March 14.
The anti-illegal logging operation in Allen came after the seizure of P117,000 worth of illegal lumber in San Isidro town.
On March 12, Northern Samar police also confiscated 151 flitches of lawaan lumber worth P500,000 and loaded in a wing van from Bobon town bound to Legazpi City in Bicol region.
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)