‘Illegal loggers’ fall

ILOILO City – Three people accused of illegally transporting logs have been arrested in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Mercy Catilo of Barangay Quipot, Janiuay, and Lucresia Arca and Angelo Ego of Barangay Yabon, Janiuay were detained at the municipal police station.

Catilo was caught at 2:30 p.m. on June 14 loading a gmelina and mahogany logs in Barangay Quipot, said Senior Inspector John Paul Guay, Janiuay police chief. A total of 500 board feet were seized from her.

Three hours later Ego and Arca were caught doing the same in Barangay Yabon, Guay said. A thousand board feet were seized from them.

All three failed to present to the police officers who caught them any permit from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) allowing them to cut trees and transport logs.

Guay said his officers acted on a tip that “illegal logging is rampant in the mountainous areas of Janiuay.”

All the seized logs were in the custody of the Janiuay police.

Officers have coordinated with the MENRO to determine the value of the logs and the charges to be filed against those arrested./PN

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