Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City – Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 confiscated a total of ₱ 30,978.00 worth of illegally cut lumber and arrested the six suspects during the separate anti-illegal logging operations conducted in the province of Surigao del Sur yesterday, June 6.
POLICE BRIGADIER GENERAL ROMEO M. CARAMAT, JR., PRO13 Director, said that Daniel O. Varela, 30 years old, a resident of Purok 4, Brgy. Kauswagan, San Agustin was arrested in Purok 4, Brgy. Oteiza, the same municipality, during the operation conducted by personnel of 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (SDSPMFC). The operating troops intercepted the motorcycle driven by Varela loaded with illegally cut Lauan lumber with a total volume of 336 board feet with a market value of ₱ 7,728.00.
Meanwhile, James M. Maca, 18 years old, a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. Patong-Patong, Madrid was arrested by personnel of Madrid Municipal Police Station (MPS) during the operation conducted in Brgy. Patong-Patong, same municipality. Confiscated from the suspect was 210 bd. ft. of illegally cut Lauan lumber worth ₱ 5,250.00.
Another arrested suspect was Jimson D. Sandaya, 26 years old, a resident of Purok 3, Sitio Nangka, Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, during the operation conducted by personnel of 1302nd Regional Mobile Force Company and Cantilan MPS. Sandaya was caught transporting Lauan lumber without a permit from the DENR loaded on his motorcycle. Seized items have a volume of 240 bd. ft. worth ₱ 4,800.00.
During the series of operations conducted by personnel of Cantilan MPS and 2nd SDSPMFC Edgardo A. Irinko, 20 years old, a resident of Purok 4, Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur; Andres M. Daano, 18 years old, a resident of Purok 3, Sitio Nangka, Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur; and Albert V. Abaja, 22 years old, a resident of Purok 3, Sitio Nangka, Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur were arrested.
Confiscated from the three suspects were 230 bd. ft. of Luan lumber worth ₱ 4,600.00, 220 bd. ft. worth ₱ 4,400.00, and 210 bd. ft. worth ₱ 4,200.00, respectively, all without permits from the DENR.
The operations stemmed from the reports given by the local populace about the existence of illegal logging operations in the area.
“I thanked the public for their continued support to the efforts of the Philippine National Police for the protection and preservation of our forests and natural resources. As responsible stewards of the Earth, let us help one another in protecting our nature from these irresponsible individuals who are destroying it,” RD CARAMAT, JR. said. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak)
(Source: Caraga Pulis Pio Facebook account)