LUNA, Apayao – About PhP50,000 worth of abandoned narra lumber were recovered in Conner and Calanasan, while PhP12,720 abandoned tanguile lumber were taken from Guinaang, Conner, and in Lydia, Pudtol.
The recovery was done on January 15, 2024 through a joint operation of the Apayao Police Province Office (APPO) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs)
Acting on a tip from a confidential informant, personnel from the Secord Apayao Police Mobile Force Company (PMFC) conducted surveillance in Barangay Guinaang, leading to the discovery of abandoned narra flitches.
Despite efforts to apprehend the owners, the lumbers, with a total volume of 200 board feet and an estimated value of PhP50,000 were deemed abandoned.
The recovered lumber were then transported to CENRO-Conner for documentation and further investigation under Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, following a concerned citizen’s report, joint operatives including the First Apayao PMFC, Police Intelligence Unit (PIU) Apayao, Regional Intelligence Division (RIDCOR), Pudtol Municipal Police Station (MPS), and CENRO Calanasan-Luna Sub Office recovered 53 pieces of tanguile lumbers in Barangay Lydia.
Totaling up to 424 board feet and valued at PhP12,720, the lumber were scaled by James Tacas, OIC CENRO Officer. Despite efforts to locate the owner, the lumber were declared abandoned and transported to CENRO Calanasan-Luna Sub Office for proper disposition.
Both sets of recovered lumber will undergo necessary procedures as investigations progress, aiming to identify and prosecute those involved in these illegal logging activities in the said barangays. By JCM
