By Mike Crismundo
Published Oct 10, 2026 03:30 pm
BUTUAN CITY – Police seized more than 18,000 board feet of illegally-cut lauan, yakal, and tangili lumber valued at P810,000 during an anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur Friday.
Police Lt. Col. Jennifer S. Ometer, Police Regional Office-13 Public Information Office chief, said two suspected illegal loggers were arrested in the operation.
“The 39-year-old and 33-year-old suspects are now under investigation while charges are being readied by our operating police units on the ground,” Ometer said.
Also recovered was a blue Rusi chariot used in transporting the illegally-cut forest products.
“Our ground troops with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are investigating the apprehended individuals and illegally-cut forest products,” Ometer said.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon commended the operating units and DENR for their achievement.
“We will continue to strengthen our operations, together with our partner agencies, against illegal logging and other activities that threaten our forests and natural resources,” Suguilon said. “We will also ensure that those involved in the illegal exploitation of our forests are held accountable under the law.”
The confiscated lumber is under the custody of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.
The suspects are detained at the Lanuza police station and face charges for violating Presidential Decree No. 705, the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
