Isabela village chief, 8 others held for illegal logging

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A barangay captain in San Mariano, Isabela and eight others were arrested after they were caught loading freshly sawn lumber into a truck along Pinacanauan River before dawn yesterday.

Harley Deolazo, 54, chairman of Barangay Cataguing, and his villagemates Jerold, Jerrymi and Jackson, all surnamed Malsi, as well as  Helbert Martinez, Donald Cachuela, Jeffrey Deray, Michael Bacani and Jomari Palattao, all residents of Barangay Buyasan, face charges for illegal logging, according to Cagayan Valley police director Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves.

Police said 2,000 board feet of logs were seized from the suspects.