LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- In a bid to thwart illegal logging, police blocked the transport of hot logs here.
Highland cops confiscated a total volume of 2073.62 board feet of lumber with an estimated value of P 53,773 in separate busts on December 3 and 4.
Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) and the help of various Municipal Police Stations in the province conducted a two-day operation against illegal logging in 8 different areas arresting 3 persons and confiscating equipment.
Operatives of Sablan recovered nine pieces sawn Kulasi tree, eight pieces mahogany lumber and three pieces of Kalantas tree in different dimension which were abandoned in Sitio, Abulo and Sawili, with a total volume of 201 board feet valued at P6,030.
In Tuba, 10 pieces of sawn mahogany lumber with a volume of 77.32 board feet worth P2,400 were recovered.
In Shilan, 43 pieces of pine lumber with a volume of 399 board feet valued at P11,970 were also confiscated.
While in Atok town, authorities recovered 353.3 board feet of pine lumber in sitio Pongol, valued at P3,369. In Buguias, police recovered 643 board feet of pine lumber valued at P18,004 in Sitio, Bidadayan, Baculongan Sur.
In Tuba police arrested Eddie Patalek who had in his possession a power saw.
Cordillera police chief Benjamin Magalong said, "The continuous support of the public to the PNP’s effort against illegal logging helps not only in confiscating illegally sawn lumber but also in the immediate arrest of those involved.”