Illegal lumber trader nabbed in Isabela

ALICIA, Isabela — Authorities arrested a suspected illegal lumber trader in Barangay Dagupan on 24 July, during a joint operation targeting environmental law violators.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Santiago City Field Unit, together with the Alicia Municipal Police Station and the DENR’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Cauayan City, launched the enforcement effort under CIDG’s OPLAN KALIKASAN, a campaign against the unlawful destruction of the country’s natural resources.

The suspect, identified only as “Doming,” a businessman from Barangay Dagupan, was allegedly caught in the act of trading lumber without the required permits from the DENR. Among the seized items were molave and narra, both endangered or threatened species.

In total, authorities confiscated 22 pieces of molave lumber (1,260 board feet), 8 pieces of narra (235 board feet), 21 pieces of mahogany (616 board feet), and 26 pieces of CHW (435 board feet). The entire haul has an estimated value of P317,718.

CIDG officials stressed that Presidential Decree No. 705, also known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, was enacted to regulate the use of forest resources and ensure their protection for future generations. Alongside it, Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, seeks to conserve wildlife and their natural habitats.

The suspect will be charged before the National Prosecution Service for violating Section 68 of PD 705 and Section 27 of RA 9147 for the possession and trading of timber — particularly endangered species — without proper legal documents and authorization.