P2.3-M ‘hot’ logs seized

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines – Authorities seized over P2.3 million worth of logs allegedly cut from the forests of Fuga Island in Aparri town over the weekend.

The logs were seized from six men identified as Joseph Visario, Rudy dela Cruz, Sonny Trinidad, Ronald Pablo, Tomas Pablo and Edgar Valera, said town police chief Chief Inspector Mina Domingo.

The suspects are facing charges for violating the anti-illegal logging law before the Aparri provincial prosecutor’s office.

The logs, which include species of kamagong, dita, molave and balong-ita, were turned over to the custody of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Although a private island, Fuga, along with the smaller islands of Barit and Mabag, is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority based in Santa Ana town here.

Julian Gonzales, CEZA deputy director, said they would work with other concerned authorities to investigate reports of alleged illegal logging activities on the island.