A TOTAL of 125 pieces of squared timbers with a volume of 13,390 board feet were seized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) on July 13, 2021, in Davao Oriental.
In a press release, DENR-Davao said the timbers were apprehended through its Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Baganga in Barangay Malibago, Cateel.
The agency said the confiscated items of naturally-grown dipterocarp are worth P400,000.
DENR said the items were seized after they received an intelligence report that a number of timbers were sighted in Cateel river.
As of writing, the confiscated items are already at Cenro-Baganga compound and 67th Infantry Battalion detachment for proper handling while awaiting appropriate action.
DENR-Davao Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco said the operation is part of the Anti-illegal Logging Task Force’s efforts to curb any illegal activities in the region.
"As we continue to intensify our enforcement of forestry laws, rules and regulations, the more we have strengthened our partnership with these agencies through this Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force,” Evasco said.
Early this year, DENR-Davao strengthened its collaboration with Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions through a Joint Inter-Regional Task Force that aims to guard up against timber poaching and to intensify its anti-illegal logging transboundary efforts in these regions.
This is also in line with the agency's aim not only to safeguard the environment but also to ensure and strengthen the protection of forests by keeping the trees standing.