Illegal loggers abandon ‘hot’ lumber in Quezon

Illegally cut coconut lumber in Quezon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY – Authorities seized illegally cut forest products worth close to P8,000 in different areas in Quezon province on Saturday, police said on Sunday.

Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon police director, said police operatives confiscated 120 board feet (0.2 cubic meter) of assorted hardwood lumber worth P3,000 left abandoned by illegal loggers along the banks of Agos river in General Nakar town. The seized forest products came from Sierra Madre mountain ranges.

In Calauag town, acting on information from concerned citizen, policemen seized a pile of “antipolo” and “mahogany” lumber worth P3,480 that were left abandoned along the side of Maharlika Highway in Barangay Pansol.

In the island town of Patnanungan, policemen conducting anti-illegal logging operation discovered 20 flitches from assorted hardwood species worth P1,400 and left abandoned in Barangay Poblacion. /cbb