Camp Gen. Nakar, Lucena City , Philippines – More than 2,000 board feet of lumber were seized by the Quezon 417th Police Mobile Group and arrested seven suspects during the operation on reported transport of illegal lumber at Barangay Malino Ilaya, Atimonan, Quezon, yesterday afternoon.
Police Senior Superintendent Francis Elmo Sarona, Quezon police director filed charges against the illegal loggers in violating PD 705 as Amended by Republic Act 7161 or the Revised Forestry Code Of The Philippines.
The seven suspects were identified as Jeffrey Gonzales, 19, single, helper; Ariel Aguilar, 26, single, helper; Genie Mangampo, single, helper; Reynante Llanet, 26, single, helper; Mito Suarilla, 21, single, helper; Mark Barao 25, married, driver, without proper driver’s license (all arrested); Bernardo Dimayuga, of Zone 1 Barangay Poblacion Atimonan, Quezon.
Police said that at around 5 p.m. while elements of the 417th Police Mobile Group led by Police Inspector Timoteo Federis were conducting intelligence monitoring on reported transport of illegal lumber at the said municipality when they intercepted one Isuzu Elf (XET 993), owned by Dimayuga and loaded with more or less 2,000 board feet.
Based on the initial investigation, the said coconut lumber were allegedly owned by Mayor Wilfredo Magbuhos of Plaridel, Quezon.
In a phone interview, Magbuhos denied the allegation and neither was he involved in the illegal transaction.
Meanwhile, Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes strongly condemned the illegal logging activities in the province and ordered his Task Force Likas Yaman to strengthen their campaign against said activities. – Michelle Zoleta