The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff(PCSDS) and partner agencies successfully conducted a joint anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay Panitian, Quezon, on March 27, following a previous confiscation of illegal timber in the same area on March 26.
The operation involved the PCSD Enforcement Team South, Bantay Palawan/PGP-Peace and Security Cluster, the Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Group (CGIG-PAL), and the Quezon Small Boat Community (SBC). According to the press release, the team “siyam na oras na nagsagawa ng surveillance” to monitor illegal logging activities.
During the stakeout, a minor acting as a lookout reportedly spotted the team and fled, allegedly alerting other individuals involved in the illegal activity, causing them to abandon the site.
The enforcement team subsequently conducted recovery operations in coordination with the barangay, securing 41 pieces of sakot lumber and two pieces of other timber species, totaling 437 board feet. The confiscated wood is currently under the custody of the PNP Maritime Group for further investigation and legal proceedings under environmental laws.
The PCSD urged the public to participate in protecting Palawan’s natural resources and to report any illegal activities in their communities. Contact numbers for the PCSD Enforcement Teams are provided for Central, South, North, and Calamian regions.
