Police seize over Php5,000 worth of illegally harvested pine lumber

SAGADA, Mountain Province -The Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (MPPPO), in a commendable display of strengthened police-community relations, successfully confiscated over Php5,000 worth of illegally sawn pine lumber in Sitio Maduto, Brgy. Suyo, Mountain Province, on October 4, 2023.

The operation was initiated based on valuable information provided by a concerned citizen who alerted the authorities to an ongoing illegal logging activity within the said barangay.

According to Sagada Municipal Police Station (MPS) officer-in-charge Aida E. Esteban, operatives were immediately deployed to investigate the situation.

Another informant corroborated the report, confirming the presence of the illicit pine lumber while passing by the area en route to his farm.

Upon arrival at the scene, police operatives, in coordination with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) – Sabangan, discovered significant evidence of the illegal operation.

The seizure included two (2) chainsaws, nine (9) pieces of pine lumber with an estimated volume of 36 board feet, and a fallen pine tree with an estimated volume of 197 board feet, valuing approximately Php 5,910.00 in total.

The confiscated pine lumber and chainsaws were transferred to CENRO Sagada to ensure proper documentation and disposition.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for this illegal logging operation.

They will be charged with violations of PD 705, also known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, underscoring the commitment of the authorities to uphold environmental laws and protect the region’s natural resources.