3 held for illegal logs

MANILA, Philippines - Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted a motorboat allegedly loaded with illegal logs and held three men in Cantilan town in Surigao del Sur over the weekend.

The PCG said boat captain Junrey Cuata and his crewmen Roel Ruia and Danny Rosales reportedly refused to have their boat inspected when they were intercepted in Barangay Consuelo.

The PCG men were reportedly forced to fire three warning shots when the boat refused to stop. The three were turned over to the local police for investigation.

The boat was reportedly loaded with at least 1,000 pieces of lawaan and yakal, which were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources including the boat.

The PCG said the seizure of the logs was based on a tip that an illegal logging operation was reportedly taking place in Barangay Tape.

The pieces of lumber were reportedly loaded on motorboat at night for transport through the Cantilan River.