DESPITE earlier declaration that there are no illegal logging activities in Davao Region, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted series of massive operations against "forest perpetrators" resulting to confiscation of forest products amounting to P684,000.
In a joint operation conducted by the forces of the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Office in Nabunturan and Laak police, authorities confiscated 167 pieces of 81.10 cubic meters mixed dipterocarp species valued at P 486,600.
The forest products were seized at Km. 14, Sitio Marang, boundary of Laak Compostela Valley Province and Boreto, Agusan del Sur.
CENR Officer Marvin Parilla said they acted based on a tip given by a concerned citizen about an on-going stockpiling of logs in the said sitio.
Nobody claimed ownership of the logs but the local residents revealed that the logs were supposed to be transported to Tagum City via Laak route.
The confiscated logs are now deposited at Cenro Sub-station at Poblacion Laak, Comval.
Prior to this confiscations in Laak, Cenro Tagum City under Antonio Inguillo also apprehended a total of 20.01 cubic meters of lumber valued at P68,296 along Talaingod-Bukidnon National Highway in Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Victor Billiones of Cenro Mati, Davao Oriental with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Joel J. Custodio also apprehended a total of 15.4 cubic meters of Lawaan logs valued at P94,000.
The alleged owner of the logs seized in Mati, Davao Oriental was identified as one alias "Nanding."
Billiones disclosed that the conveyance, an unregistered ten-wheeler truck, and the logs are now placed under his custody, while the office is preparing the necessary papers for filing of case against the perpetrator for violation of the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. (BOT)