ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Philippines — Seven persons were sued on Monday, Feb. 6, for allegedly transporting illegally cut lumber in Barangay Libtong, San Miguel town, Leyte.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Palo, Leyte filed complaints against the suspects for allegedly violating the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 705).
Maj. Ronald Espina of the San Miguel Police Station identified the suspects as Joseph Balais, 37, and John Patrick Balais, 19, and Edward Bariata. The four other accused were unidentified.
Espina, in an interview, disclosed that their station received information from the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) regarding the transportation of Illegal lumber in San Miguel town.
He said that they immediately responded and proceeded to the place to ascertain the report. Two of the suspects, Joseph and John Patrick, were arrested while the rest eluded arrest.