The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confiscated illegal lumbers worth around P1 million in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
This was done with the cooperation of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Northern Samar, DENR-8 Enforcement Division, and the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) during an anti-timber poaching operation in the province.
A total of 39,500.75 board feet with an estimated value of P1,975,037.50 was also seized in the area two weeks ago, according to a report.
According to PENRO Northern Samar Officer Angelito Villanueva, the operation was conducted with the help of drones, which showed footages of stockpiles of lumber, flitches, and boat keels in separate locations in Barangays Balite and Happy Valley in San Isidro Northern Samar.
However, violators managed to evade arrest due to terrain in the area.
Villanueva said the incident will be further investigated and perpetrators will be filed criminal cases for violation of Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705.
Meanwhile, DENR 8 Regional Executive Director Tirso Parian, Jr. said the department is actively looking out against illegal activities and threats to the environment.
“Despite some restrictions due to the general community quarantine being implemented in the province due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, our work continues especially on law enforcement. We encourage the public to coordinate and cooperate with us against illegal activities even with this COVID-19 crisis,” he urged.
