BACOLOD City – Authorities confiscated illegally cut mahogany lumber and a chainsaw worth an estimated P56,760 during an anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, on July 19.
Personnel of the Don Salvador Benedicto Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Northern Negros Natural Park (DENR-NNNP), responded to reports of alleged illegal tree cutting at around 11:10 a.m. in Purok Kulasi.
Seized during the operation were a chainsaw without a serial number valued at approximately P45,000, 12 pieces of 2x3x6 mahogany lumber worth P2,520, and 32 pieces of 2x3x7 mahogany lumber valued at around P9,240.
Police identified the suspect only by the alias “Renren,” a laborer and resident of Barangay Igmaya-an, Don Salvador Benedicto.
The suspect remains at large as of press time.
Authorities said the incident involves an alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
The confiscated lumber and chainsaw were turned over to the DENR-Northern Negros Natural Park for proper custody and disposition, while law enforcers continue efforts to locate and arrest the suspect./PN
