Transported on lgu-owned truck: “Illegal” lumber intercepted in Guihulngan

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – A government-owned dump truck loaded with cut lumber was intercepted during the weekend by Philippine Army personnel of the 12th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Balugo, Guihulngan City in north Negros Oriental.

An initial police report said the truck, with red plate SHW-714 and owned by the local government unit of Guihulngan, was intercepted at around 8 p.m. Saturday while transporting lumber.

Detachment commander T/Sgt. Rene Boy Maribao led a team that flagged down the truck that turned out to be carrying an undetermined volume of lumber without pertinent documents.

The driver of the truck was identified as Ruben Quijano, 45, married, and a resident of Sitio Pantalan in Guihulngan City. He was accompanied by his son, Rommel, 28, single, at the time of the apprehension.

For failure to present the necessary papers for the transport of the lumber, Maribao turned over the driver to the Guihulngan Police Station while the truck and its cargo were under temporary custody of the Philippine Army personnel, the police report said.

Meanwhile, Guihulngan chief of police, Chief Insp. Frank Villanueva, disclosed on Tuesday morning that the truck driver, Quijano, was released in the absence of a case filed against him, based on the law’s 36-hour prescription period on detention.

Villanueva said the police have advised Maribao to turn over the truck and the lumber to the DENR for proper disposition.

An inventory by the police showed a total of 31 pieces of gmelina lumber, measuring 2x8x12, were being transported on the dump truck driven by the older Quijano, Villanueva added.

The chief of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office I (CENRO I), Charlie Fabre, could not be reached via his mobile phone at press time. (FREEMAN)