Truckload of poached logs apprehended

BOSTON, Davao Oriental — Elements of the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion and forest protection and security personnel of the Paper Industries Corp. of the Philippines (PICOP) apprehended a truckload of poached logs in a barangay here last Nov. 18.

The truck was carrying 22 pieces of bay-ang and luktob, both naturally grown tree species, which were reportedly illegally sourced from Road 5Q inside the PICOP concession, when it was intercepted in Barangay San Jose.

Prosecutor Mariano Lisondatu issued the apprehension receipt for the truck which is now under the custody of the 36th IB in Carmen town.

Alfredo Reyes, chairman of the Citizens Log Watch, hailed the apprehension, saying his group has long complained about poaching by sawmills and plywood plants in the area.

He said he has repeatedly questioned the operations of these sawmills and plywood plants which have largely relied on poached logs.

"How can Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun boast of protecting trees in the ASEAN region when she could not do anything to stop the rampant poaching here?" Reyes asked.