BULDON, Maguindanao del Norte — Authorities apprehended 26 pieces of abandoned lauan lumber during a foot patrol operation in the municipality, the Provincial Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office (PENREO) reported.
The operation, spearheaded by the Community ENRE Office of the 1st District in coordination with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Buldon and the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 2, was led by Forester Mark Erickson Arañas Laurie, together with forest rangers, Palaw rangers, MENRO Nasser D. Marinding, and MBLT 2 personnel.
The team discovered the illegally cut lumber, estimated at 1,344 board feet and valued at around ₱53,760. Alongside the wood, a chainsaw suspected to have been used in the logging operation was also confiscated. Verification confirmed that no cutting permit had been issued for the activity.
The confiscated forest products were turned over to the LGU of Buldon for custody and safekeeping, pending adjudication proceedings under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 97-32, which governs the disposition of illegally sourced forest products and equipment.
Authorities said the act constitutes violations of Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705 (as amended), Executive Order No. 277, Executive Order No. 23 (s. 2011), and Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002.
CENREO reiterated its commitment to protecting the environment and fighting illegal logging activities, urging the public to remain vigilant and cooperative in forest protection efforts.