BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – At least 56 pieces of illegally cut logs of mixed hardwood species were confiscated after they were left abandoned in Agusan River in Barangay Dankias, Butuan City Saturday while 141 of mahogany logs were seized by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Zamboanga del Norte Friday.
Members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force headed by retired Col. Alex Edera Ga provided security to personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who confiscated the hot logs, after receiving reports that armed men were towing it along Agusan River.
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office forester Vicente Sembrano said the confiscated logs have an estimated market value of P50,000.
Sembrano said they are checking reports that more illegally cut logs were hidden in the vast Agusan River and guarded by armed men.
CIDG Region 9 chief Senior Superintendent Edgar Dano, meanwhile said the driver of the truck carrying the hot logs in Zamboanga del Norte failed to present pertinent documents.