CITY OF CALAPAN—Police arrested 143 individuals during the intensified campaign against illegal loggers conducted in the last five months, according to a report released Thursday by Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police.
From Jan. 1 to May 31, 126 operations were conducted that also led to the confiscation of 29,509.66 board feet of lumber worth P1,027,501, the report said.
“In addition to war on drugs and criminality, one of the priorities of the PNP (Philippine National Police) is its war on illegal logging,” said Brigadier General Sidney Sultan Hernia, Mimaropa police chief.
Illegal loggers will be charged for violating the Forestry Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 705) and Republic Act No. 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002, among others, said Hernia.
Dubbed “police eco-warriors,” personnel from the Mimaropa police had planted 282,747 seedlings of fruit and non-fruit bearing trees since January this year, according to the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division.
“This is part of our commitment to addressing environmental degradation and providing a sustainable environment to communities in partnership with local government units and concerned agencies,” said Hernia.