WOOD charcoal production in Quezon province. File Photo. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON
LUCENA CITY — Police intercepted Wednesday a truck full of illegal wood charcoal along the national road in Calauag town in Quezon province.
Calauag police reported on Thursday, Oct. 13, that police and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel flagged down at 9:21 p.m. a cargo truck driven by John Paul Lozano in Barangay Sta. Maria.
During the routine inspection, the vehicle was found loaded with 500 sacks of charcoal worth P137,500 in the market.
The driver failed to present government documents for the cargo.
The authorities deatined the suspect and impounded the vehicle and its cargo in the DENR office in Calauag.
Charges will be filed against the suspect for violating the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, which prohibits cutting trees without a permit from the DENR.
Charcoal production using wood products has long been banned in Quezon.
The measure aims to prevent mangrove depletion due to increasing demand for charcoal, particularly by stores in Metro Manila selling roasted food.
RELATED STORIES
Quezon government stops wood charcoal making | Inquirer News
Cops seize illegal forest wood, coconut lumber in Quezon