SUMISIP, Basilan — Police and military forces have seized a large volume of illegally cut lauan logs in the forests of Sumisip, in what officials described as the biggest enforcement action so far under the Basilan provincial government’s “Sagip Kalikasan” (Save Nature) campaign.

Brig. Gen. Frederick M. Sales, commander of the 1101st Infantry “Gagandilan” Brigade, said the logs were recovered on Friday in Sitio Sampinit, Barangay Mahatalang, after a joint team conducted a foot patrol in the area.

The operation involved soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion, personnel from the Sumisip Municipal Police Station, and staff of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Maluso. The patrol was led by Lt. Col. Gerwin T. Maghuyop, commander of the 32nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion, and P/Capt. Jakaria Muin, chief of the Sumisip police.

Sales said the team came across a large number of freshly cut and abandoned lauan logs while moving through the forest. The logs were immediately seized and secured by authorities.

Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman praised the operatives for their swift action and reiterated the province’s strong stance against illegal logging.

“We urge those illegally cutting and selling high-value trees to stop their wrongdoing before they are caught,” Hataman said.

“This is our fight — the fight of every Basileño — to protect our environment. The livelihood of many Basileños depends on a healthy and protected ecosystem,” he added.