Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan City - Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 confiscated ₱ 36,828.00 worth of hot logs and arrested three suspects in Abubu, Barangay Dagohoy, Dapa, Surigao del Norte last Wednesday, August 11, as part of its intensified campaign against illegal logging.

Police Brigadier General ROMEO M. CARAMAT, JR, PRO13 Director, identified the suspects as Salvador B. Cortina, 64 years old, a resident of Barangay Dagohoy, Dapa, Surigao del Norte; Arnel B. Gotinga, 30 years old, and Raffy F. Longos, 20 years old, residents of Brgy. San Miguel, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

The operation stemmed from the report of a concerned citizen regarding the conduct of illegal logging activity in the area that was immediately responded to by the local police together with the personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Protected Area Management Office-Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (PAMO-SIPLAS) in the municipality.

The operating troops confiscated a chainsaw, 613.80 board feet of a round post (Kolo species), and 1.45 cubic meters of illegally cut lumber (Kolo and Talisay species).

"With the continuing efforts of PNP Caraga to apprehend those individuals involved in illegal logging activities, we hope to put an end to forest destruction activities in our region. Moreover, we urge the public to help the authorities protect and preserve our environment and natural resources by immediately reporting to the police any illegal logging activities in the locality," RD CARAMAT, JR said.

Arrested persons are in the custody of Dapa Municipal Police Station while the confiscated items are in the custody of DENR PAMO-SIPLAS, Dapa. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak)

(Source: Caraga Pulis Pio Facebook account)