TACLOBAN CITY – Government authorities confiscated about 150 board feet of illegally cut Lawaan lumber and arrested an 18-year-old suspect during a joint anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay Villa Conzoilo, Jaro, Leyte.
The August 4, Wednesday, operation was conducted by the 2nd Platoon, 3rd Leyte Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) Company under the Task Group Defender of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
The team, led by TSg. Glenn Bramida, worked in coordination with Barangay Villa Conzoilo officials headed by Punong Barangay Myrna Aborita, barangay tanods, and personnel of the Jaro Municipal Police Station led by PSSg. Mark Meridor.
Authorities arrested Niño Trenchera, 18, a resident of Barangay Daro, Jaro, during the operation after he was allegedly found in possession of the illegally cut Lawaan lumber.
The confiscated forest products and the suspect were brought to the Jaro Municipal Police Station for proper documentation, filing of appropriate charges, and further investigation.
Illegal logging remains a major environmental concern in Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas, prompting the military, police, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and local government units to intensify enforcement operations to protect the region’s remaining forest resources and curb the illegal exploitation of timber.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
