CEBU, Philippines - Assorted coconut lumber amounting P6,000 were seized on Friday afternoon in barangay Tubigan in the western town of Asturias.
The owner and driver of the truck, Felix Rico, a resident of barangay Bato, Toledo City and his four companions were apprehended by a team of policemen led by SPO1 Vicente Mendaros in the act of loading the lumber into an Isuzu Elf truck with plate number YAU-977.
The lumber came in different sizes - eight pieces of 4x6x10, two pieces of 4x6x12, six pieces of 2x6x10, one 3x6x10, two pieces of 4x8x10. A chainsaw was also seized from Rico’s group.
SPO2 Dennis Nocous of the Asturias Police said the responding police officers immediately went to the said place after they received a phone call from a concerned citizen informing them about a truck-full of lumber.
The apprehension was based on the memorandum from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) or the “Suspension on the Issuance of Permit to Cut Trees” signed by PCA Provincial Manager Emiliano Balios.
“The memorandum was addressed to all chief of police in the province. Mao lang na among gisubay sa pagdakop nila,” Nocus said.
PCA Task Force 8048 member Aurito Orozco told The FREEMAN that Rico violated RA 8048 or Illegal Cutting of Coconut Trees. He said the lumber confiscated will not be returned to Rico, but will be placed under PCA custody and will be distributed to local government units for infrastructure projects.
“If walay mo-request, we can’t keep this kay malata man ni so amo na lang ni ibaligya through bidding,” Orozco said.
Orozco added that Rico needs to pay a fine of P17,000 to get his chainsaw back. — (FREEMAN)