JOLO, Sulu — Authorities seized a cache of undocumented timber during a late-night patrol operation on April 22, 2026, reinforcing ongoing efforts to curb illegal logging activities in the province.
Personnel from the Jolo Municipal Police Station (MPS), led by Officer-in-Charge Frederick C. Ledama, were conducting a routine preventive mobile patrol at around 10:55 p.m. when they discovered a pile of abandoned lumber along Matada Street in Barangay Asturias, Jolo.
Upon inspection and verification, the responding officers found that the timber had no accompanying documentation, and no individual came forward to claim ownership. This prompted the police to seize the materials for violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, which governs the protection, development, and management of forest resources in the country.
Authorities reported that the confiscated items consisted of 45 pieces of lumber of varying sizes and dimensions, with an estimated total volume of 920 board feet. The wood species remains unidentified. The seized timber has an estimated market value of ₱31,500.
Following proper documentation, the lumber was transported to the Jolo MPS for further investigation. Officials said the materials will be turned over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, for appropriate disposition in accordance with environmental regulations.
The operation highlights the continued vigilance of local law enforcement in addressing environmental violations, particularly illegal logging, which remains a persistent concern in parts of Mindanao. Authorities reiterated their call for the public to report suspicious activities involving forest products to help protect the country’s natural resources.