Logs declared as banana chips seized by CIDG

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have intercepted at a Manila port a 20-foot container van loaded with illegal logs, which had been declared as banana chips.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa said the logs were intercepted while en route to a sawmill in Valenzuela City.

Verzosa noted that the illegally cut timber and forest products were from Lanao del Norte.

They were shipped to Manila through Pier 2 of North Harbor.

In his report to Verzosa, Chief Inspector Reynaldo Cachuela of the CIDG-Special Operation Group said he received information that illegal logs were about to be shipped to Manila.

With the information, Cachuela and his men conducted a stakeout at the port on March 23.

However, no shipment arrived that day.

The following day, the informant called again and told police that the illegal logs would arrive at the pier.

"That was the time we intercepted the logs," said Cachuela, who noted that a representative from Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed the logs inside the container van were illegally cut.