Boat carrying hot lumber confiscated in Dinagat

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines  – Police intercepted at sea a motorboat fully loaded with illegally sawn lumber, mostly of endangered hardwood species, off the province of Dinagat Islands last Friday night.

In a report, the Caraga police information office headed by Chief Inspector Nelly Villagarcia said the hot lumber, mostly teak wood, which is the hardest among hardwood species in the Philippines, was allegedly owned by a certain Tano Matulis, a resident of barangay Poblacion in coastal Libjo town.

Authorities said the Libjo police headed by SPO2 Adolfo Go arrested the operators of the boat identified as Marjun Matutis, 20; Romy Castillon Silikot; and Chelo Canoy Canonigo, all residents of Purok 14, Barangay Melody, Libjo town.

Report said the suspects and the confiscated lumber with an estimated volume of 5,000 board feet were brought to the Loreto municipal police station for proper disposition.