Banned forest products seized in Butuan City, Agusan del Sur
CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Alert anti-illegal logging task force of the Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) confiscated illegally-cut banned forest products in three successful operations conducted over the weekend in Butuan City and Agusan del Sur, police reported yesterday.
Six men were arrested while more than P880,000 worth of illegally cut lumbers and flitches were confiscated in these three operations on Saturday and Sunday.
Identities of the six arrested persons are temporarily withheld pending arrest of their financiers.
PRO 13 Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilberto DC Cruz told The Manila Bulletin on Monday that during the checkpoint conducted by personnel of Butuan City Mobile Force Company at Barangay Bancasi here, they apprehended two mini dump trucks loaded with 356 pieces assorted Mahogany flitches, with a total measure of 5,015.33 board feet worth R790,000.
Four persons, all residents of Gingoog City, were arrested in the operation and were taken into custody by the Trento Municipal Police Station (MPS) for further investigation, while the confiscated van and forest products were placed under the custody of 1303rd Maneuver Company (RMFB13) for proper disposition, the region’s police chief said.
Responding on a report from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Bunawan Anti-illegal Logging Task Force, personnel of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13, together with Trento MPS, also flagged down a closed van in Sitio Maitum, Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur. It was found to be loaded with 342 pieces of mixed dipterocarp with estimated volume of 3,118.11 board feet and market value of R77,952.75.
Two persons, both residents of Davao del Norte, were arrested and are now in the custody of Trento MPS.