Police seize ‘hot’ lumber worth P400,000 at a checkpoint in N. Samar town

TACLOBAN CITY — Policemen in Northern Samar province confiscated hot lumber with a commercial value of over P400,000 at a checkpoint in Allen town on Wednesday.

The forest products were loaded in a 10-wheeler reefer van driven by Jan Richard Ballosa, 28, when these were stopped at a checkpoint in Barangay Sabang 2.

Ballosa, who traveled from his hometown of Bobon and was said to be bound for Legaspi City in Albay province, failed to produce any documents to prove he was authorized to transport the more than 400 pieces of Lawaan lumbers, said Police Col. Arnel Apud, police provincial director.

Ballosa and the confiscated forest products were brought to Allen municipal police station.

Apud said charges are being prepared against the suspect for violating the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

He then vowed to further strengthen the campaign against illegal logging in the province.

“I urge the public to help authorities in preserving our environment and natural resources. Everyone’s cooperation is needed to stop the wanton destruction of our forest resources,” he said.