ORMOC CITY-Three persons were arrested by local police for illegal logging at around 1:52 pm on July 13, in the mountainous area of Barangay Santol, San Miguel, Leyte.
The suspects were identified as alias “Samuel”, 46, with a live-in partner, a laborer, and a resident of Brgy. Libtong; alias “Chris”, 33, married, a laborer, and a resident of Sitio Pikasa Brgy. Libtong; and alias “Josh”, 22, single, a laborer, and a resident of Brgy. Bahay.
According to police, they received a tip from a concerned citizen about illegal tree cutting in Brgy. Santol at approximately 12:15 pm on July 13.
Following the tip, personnel led by Police Major Ronald Espina proceeded to the reported location to investigate. Upon arrival at around 1:52 pm, the team caught the suspects in the act of cutting Kili-Kili lumber.
The suspects presented a certification from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of San Miguel dated June 18, 2024, along with other related documents.
However, upon inspection, it was found that the permits did not match the actual location where the Kili-Kili tree was being cut.
The permit indicated Brgy. Bahay, also in San Miguel and not Brgy. Santol.
The suspects also claimed that their chainsaw had a permit, but it was in the possession of their employer.
Consequently, the police arrested the suspects and were then brought to the San Miguel Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, along with one Stihl chainsaw for verification.
The five pieces of illegally cut Kili-Kili lumber were left at the site for an ocular inspection and proper scaling by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office(CENRO- 8) personnel.
While at the police station, a certain alias “Avery”, 47, married, a farmer, and a resident of Brgy. Cayare, San Miguel presented a certificate of chainsaw registration purportedly issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources dated February 23, 2022. However, it was discovered that the registration was already expired effective Feb. 23,2024.
The confiscated Stihl chainsaw and the five pieces of illegally cut Kili-Kili lumber were turned over to the CENRO 8 office for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)
