CABANATUAN CITY – Police seized over P400,000-worth of illegally cut lumber
amid the resistance of some residents during an anti-illegal logging operation
along the banks of Sumakbao River in Barangay Pias, Gen. Tinio town on July 6.
Nueva Ecija police director Col. Jess Mendez said some people managed to sneak
out some pieces through the river but determined operatives were able to
confiscate a total of 127 pieces or 6,833.66 board feet of assorted lumber valued
at P410,019.
Also recovered during the operation was a gray pick-up truck (CBG 2378) whose
owner was still being determined at press time.
Two suspects identified as businessman Ericson Bal, 43, and Reynaldo Mendez,47,
both of Barangay Sampaguita, of the said town were arrested but managed to
escape when “fearless and unhesitant individuals aided by women and children
ganged up on the operatives,” police said.
Six unidentified persons scampered and eluded arrest, police added.
Mendez said a composite team from various police units conducted the operation
upon receipt of an intelligence information that a huge volume of lumber were to
be transported in broad daylight along Sumakbao River.
Mendez vowed sustained operations against illegal logging in the province.
“Mag-establish na tayo ng command patrol base sa tabi ng ilog para magbabantay
talaga sa mga dumadaan,” he said. “What hapoened yeaterday ay talagang
lantaran. Imagine, broad daylight nagpapa-anod sila ng mga kahoy na ‘yan,
kinakarga nila buti na lang nahuli natin,” he added.
Charges of violating Presidential Decree 705 or forest protection laws were filed
against the suspects before the provincial prosecutors’ office in this city.
“The unceasing fortitude of my men will be our tool to enforce the law in
protecting
