Seized lumber had illegal papers, says Robredo

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The transport of over 10,000 board feet of lawaan lumber confiscated here last June 2 was covered by documents issued by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

The STAR was able to obtain a copy of the certification of verification issued by CENRO-Gingoog City, which according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was illegal and should be investigated.

Forester and inspecting officer Leonardo Golosinda and Gingoog City CENRO officer Felipe Callorina Jr. signed the certification upon the request of wood trader Roger Edma.

The 381 pieces of lawaan lumber were supposed to come from Barangay Cabanti-an, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental and delivered to Mindanao Timber Corp. in Umalag, Cagayan de Oro City.

The confiscated pieces of lumber were in conformity with purchase order and deed of sale on bid logs dated April 1, 2008, in accordance with existing rules and regulations adopted by the DENR, the certification noted.

But Robredo said the certification was illegal since all bid logs were considered illegal after the issuance of Executive Order 23 mandating a total log ban issued by President Aquino in April 2011. 

Thus, Robredo said Edma’s claim that he would retrieve the seized lumber was illegal.

“Charges should be filed against Edma and there should be a no-nonsense investigation and outright suspension of DENR officials and personnel of Gingoog City who issued the certification,” he said.

“Biro mo 2008 pa pala yang kahoy na yan. Bakit ngayon lang na-transport yan? (Imagine the pieces of lumber were there in 2008 yet, but why were these transported only now?), Robredo said.

Robredo also demanded an explanation why the lumber reached Butuan City when it was supposed to be transported to Cagayan de Oro City.

The driver of the truck carrying the lumber, Rey Castillo, 30, and his companion, Efren Tagalugin, 35, had been arrested.

The confiscation of the banned hard wood led to the discovery and confiscation of another 4,213 pieces of lawaan logs in Barangay Maguinda in this city last June 4.