More than 200 hardwood logs alleged cut illegally were seized from a sawmill allegedly operating without permits in Marilog, Davao City.

The lumber and flitches were confiscated after members of the Davao City Maritime Police Station served a search warrant on the sawmill on July 14, 2026.

The operation was carried out after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sought assistance following information that the sawmill had been operating allegedly without a permit since June 2024.

“Tip to gikan sa DENR nga naa daw isa ka indibidwal nga pila na ka years (inaudible)…pagpamaligya. So nagconduct ang among team og test-buy,” Patrolman Benglen Polancos of the Davao City Maritime Police Station said.

The target of the operation identified as alias “Berto” was not around at that time. Instead, his wife faced the authorities and claimed that they were still in the process of securing the necessary permits.

“Gibag-o namo among permit, unya dugay kaayo karon ang location Sir. Dapat to change address lang mi, karon kung mag-change address ka, tanan na man siya usbon. Gikan diri padulong didto sa highway. I-abandon ni pero wala man mi choice Sir, so gapas gihapon mi,” the suspect’s wife said.

The operating team seized up to 240 cut lumber of various hardwood species, including narra, mahogany, lauan, and falcata, with a total volume of more than 2,000 board feet and worth more than P82,000. A bandsaw mill worth around P50,000 was also confiscated.

The forest products seized are now under the custody of DENR.

Authorities are set to file charges against the suspect for alleged violations of Republic Act 1239 and Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

The suspect remains at large, as of this writing, and is the subject of an ongoing manhunt operation.