BALANGA CITY (PIA) — In its continuing effort to protect natural resources and combat environmental crimes, the Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) arrested four individuals in an anti-illegal logging operation at Barangay Sta. Isabel in Dinalupihan town.
Following a report from the Metro Bataan Development Authority about an ongoing illegal logging activity, the Dinalupihan Municipal Police Station coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office to conduct the operation.
Police caught the suspects in the act of cutting trees.
Authorities confiscated Acacia logs with an estimated volume of 12.52995 cubic meters or 5,312.69 board feet, valued at about P212,507.
Charges will be filed against the suspects for violating Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002.
These are part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal logging and other environmental offenses to ensure sustainable forestry management.
Bataan PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Marites Salvadora highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in protecting the environment and enforcing forestry laws.
“This operation underscores the Bataan PPO’s unwavering commitment to safeguard natural resources and ensure that violators are brought to justice,” Salvadora emphasized.
The government continues to strengthen enforcement efforts with local government units and national agencies to preserve the country’s forests and biodiversity, in line with national programs that advance environmental protection and climate resilience. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
