(UPDATED) Over P97,000-worth of illegally cut mangrove logs were seized by joint operatives and personnel of the maritime police and the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Brgy. Sumbiling, Bataraza on Thursday, July 18.
P/Lt. Danny Ferriol, spokesperson of the 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group (2nd SOU-MG), said the logs were abandoned by unidentified suspects who fled the Sumbiling area after spotting the team from the maritime detachment in Rio Tuba and the DENR Brooke’s Point.
“Noong makita nila ang grupo ng maritime kasama ang DENR Brooke’s Point, agad nagsipulasan ‘yong mga suspects palayo,” Ferriol said.
Ferriol added that the logs are being used to make charcoal.
He said they have identified the owner of the illegally cut mangrove logs, but will not disclose names because of their ongoing operation.
Ferriol said they are residents also of Sumbiling.
He said they will still be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines.
The logs are under the custody of the DENR Brooke’s Point.
