Benguet cops seize illegal logs

THE intensified campaign of Benguet police against illegal loggers have paved the way for the seizure of illegally cut lumbers in two municipalities of the province.

On November 9, personnel of Atok Municipal Police Station led by Police Chief Inspector Cesar Dug-a Mallon and Carlos Pengwasan from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) at Km. 21, Caliking conducted an anti-illegal logging operation at the boundary of Atok-Tublay at Sitio Papayeo.

While patrolling, they discovered seven pieces of 1x12x10, two pieces of 2x3x10, and a 2x3x8 pine lumbers with a total of 84 board feet which was abandoned in the area.

The recovered pine lumbers were hauled to the CENRO Office for proper disposition.

In the morning of the same day, personnel of Kabayan Municipal Police Station with an augmentation from the Provincial Mobile Force Company conducted preventive patrol at Sitio Oleg Akki, Ballay which led to the recovery of a Stihl chainsaw with no serial number and assorted sawn pine lumbers in different dimensions.

Recovered pine lumbers include 28 pieces 2x2x10 and three pieces 2x3x10 totaling to 108.33 board feet with estimated market value of P2,708.33.

The recovered pine lumbers and chainsaw were brought to Kabayan MPS for documentation and safekeeping.

Although no persons were arrested during the operations, Benguet PPO still considers this as a testament to their campaign not only on illegal logging, but in protecting the environment.