Anti-illegal logging operatives seize 20k board feet of hardwood in CamSur

Anti-illegal logging operatives seized on Wednesday some 20,000 board feet of illegally cut hardwood in Tinamban town in Camarines Sur.

The intercepted hardwood was being transported via the 300-meter Afrang River, according to a report by GMA Bicol's Mark Bongat.

In the operation, at least four people were arrested, one of them a minor. Authorities seized firearms from them, the report said.

Seized were tools used to cut the wood.

Investigation showed the wood came from the timberland area in Lagonoy town, and possibly even from Catanduanes province.

NBI Bicol regional director lawyer Tomas Enrile said there are indications illegal logging in the area could be rampant.

"The way I see it, talamak talaga. Nakita namin diyan along the river, maraming kahoy. May mga makinang panglagari... mga circular. May mga pangretaso ng kahoy," he said.

The report also said driftwood was seen at the Tamban Port in Camarines Sur.

Port manager Benedicto Besa said they no longer allow such wood at the port.

In the meantime, the NBI's Enrile said the investigation is still ongoing. He said efforts are ongoing to identify the supplier and buyer of the wood, and the protector of the operations.

"I-identify natin ang supplier, yung bumibili, yung protector," he said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News