ELDERLY MAN NABBED FOR ILLEGAL LUMBER TRADE

BY KEVIN GALANG

LUPAO, Nueva Ecija — A joint buy-bust operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led to the arrest of a 66-year-old man for allegedly engaging in the illegal sale and collection of timber in violation of forestry and environmental laws.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 (RFU3)  chief Col. Grant Gollod identified the suspect as alias “Romeo.”

The operation was carried out in Bgy. Agupalo Weste on November 13 under the CIDG’s flagship environmental enforcement effort “Oplan Kalikasan.”

“Romeo” was arrested after he reportedly handed over illegally sourced acacia planks to an undercover officer posing as buyer.

Gollod said the operation was spearheaded by CIDG Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit, with support from DENR-CENRO Science City of Muñoz.

Seized from the suspect were two acacia planks, the marked and boodle money,  a written receipt, 18 pieces of assorted lumber valued at approximately P80,000, one bandsaw with blade and dynamo, and two chainsaws.

The confiscated items were worth around P150,000.

The suspect was brought to the CIDG Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit and will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002).