7 illegal loggers arrested in Bataan

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – Policemen arrested seven suspected illegal loggers in the mountainous area of Barangay Balon Anito, Mariveles, Bataan over the weekend and seized from them illegally-cut logs worth P1.9 million.

The suspects were loading the illegal cut-logs of acacia trees in an Isuzu 10-wheeler truck when the policemen and personnel of Bataan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) arrived at the area.

Police said it was the biggest number of illegal cut-logs confiscated after Mariveles Mayor Jesse Con­cepcion created the Mariveles Anti-Illegal Logging and Fishing Task Force (MAILAFTF) in June.

Those arrested were identified as Apollo Fernando, 42; Raff Anthony Pega, 20; Manny Pangilinan, 35; Joel Flores, 31; Casiano Factor, 43, driver of 10-wheeler Isuzu truck and Julio Cabildo, 61; all of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija and Joselito Cabalunga, 41, truck driver of Bagac town.

The suspects were also brought for inquest proceeding at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Balanga City for a case of violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Illegal Logging Law.