P1.2M worth of illegal lumber from Mindanao seized in Laguna
LUCENA CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and police in Laguna province seized P1.2 million worth of illegally cut lumber from Mindanao.
Director Nilo Tamoria, DENR-Region 4A chief, said in a belated report on Monday, Feb. 24, that a joint team of DENR and Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol group intercepted on Feb. 21 two trucks loaded with illegal lumber along the bypass road in Barangay San Agustin, Alaminos town.
The trucks—a Fuso and a Mitsubishi wing van—were found carrying 730 pieces of red lauan (𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴), a forest tree species endemic to the Philippines, with a total volume of 12,685.34 board feet and valued at P1.27 million.
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Law enforcers arrested two drivers and two helpers, all unidentified in the report after they failed to present government documents for their cargo.
The report stated that the confiscated lumber originated from Mindanao and was supposed to be delivered to an unspecified location in Manila.
Article continues after this advertisementAuthorities are investigating further the identities of the illegal loggers behind the seized cargo.
Article continues after this advertisementTamoria urged the public to report related incidents to the nearest DENR office to help protect the country’s remaining forests.
The four suspects are detained at the Alaminos police station for violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705, also known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
The seized lumber was transported to the HPG impounding area in Barangay Paciano Rizal, Calamba City. INQ
