Philippine News Agency • June 18, 2020
Policewoman, driver nabbed over 'hot' lumber in Aurora
HOT LOGS. Anti-illegal logging operatives arrest a policewoman and her driver for transporting illegally cut lumber worth around PHP36,720 in Maria Aurora town, Aurora province on Tuesday (June 16, 2020). Confiscated were 51 pieces of sawn “tanguile” lumber with a total volume of 612 board feet. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora – Anti-illegal logging operatives arrested a police personnel and her driver for illegally transporting cut lumber worth around PHP36,720 in Maria Aurora town, this province on Tuesday.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Alfredo Collado said on Wednesday that the operatives caught Patrolwoman Aurora Ramos, presently assigned with the 1st Maneuver Mobile Force Company at Camp Captain Ravina here, and her driver Olimpio Figuracion, both residents of Barangay South Poblacion, Dipaculao, this province, in the act of transporting the "hot" lumber on board an Elf truck bearing plate number AAV5708.
Collado said PENRO personnel received a report from the residents of Barangay Diome, Maria Aurora on the illegal activity.
He said the operatives immediately proceeded to the area and confiscated 51 pieces of sawn “tanguile” lumber with a total volume of 612 board feet.
The suspects are now under the custody of Maria Aurora Police Station.
Col. Raul Siriban, provincial director of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, said they will not tolerate any violation of environmental laws.
“Managot ang dapat managot kahit sino pa yan. Walang compromise (The one responsible must be held responsible whoever they are. There is no compromise),” Siriban said as he commended the DENR personnel for their efforts in protecting the environment.
Charges have been filed against the suspects for violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705 as amended under Republic Act 7161, the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, with a recommended bail of PHP72,000 each. (PNA)
