Police seized an estimated 4,079 board feet of undocumented sawn Narra lumber valued at about P2.04 million during an anti-criminality checkpoint operation in Barangay Nagsabaran, Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya, on the evening of 9 September, 2026.

According to the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office, personnel of the 2nd Maneuver Force Platoon, 1st Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Mobile Force Company were conducting a 24-hour checkpoint when they stopped an Isuzu Forward truck for inspection.

The driver was identified as Jet, 28, a resident of Bunot, Paracelis, Mountain Province. He was accompanied by an unidentified helper.

During initial questioning, the driver reportedly told police that the truck was carrying coconuts and presented his driver’s license and photocopies of the vehicle’s Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration.

A closer inspection, however, led police to notice logs hidden behind a gap at the rear portion of the truck. When the driver and helper were asked to present the necessary documents for the forest products, they allegedly fled in separate directions.

Personnel of the 2nd Maneuver Force Platoon, 1st NVPMFC and Diadi Municipal Police Station immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to locate the two men.

Police secured the truck and its cargo for documentation, inventory and proper disposition. An initial scaling conducted by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office estimated the seized lumber at 4,079 board feet, with an approximate value of P2,039,500.

The Diadi police also coordinated with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Bayombong for the formal inventory and scaling of the seized forest products.

Authorities are investigating the incident for a possible violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, particularly the transportation of forest products without the required documents.

Police Regional Office 2 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Mariano C. Rodriguez commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and immediate response.

Rodriguez said the seizure reflects the police force’s efforts to protect both communities and the region’s natural resources, adding that checkpoint operations and coordination with environmental agencies would continue to prevent the illegal cutting and transport of forest products.

Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the two individuals who fled and determine the identities of those responsible for the shipment.

PRO2 said it would also continue coordinating with concerned government agencies and communities to strengthen environmental protection efforts and curb illegal activities involving the forest resources of the Cagayan Valley.