INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – About P3 million worth of hot logs allegedly owned by a politician in Isabela, Basilan were seized by the military near Sarangani Wednesday night.
Captain Eliezer Bejarin, Civil Military Operations Officer of Joint Task Force Gensan, said 120,000 board feet of illegal lumber and logs aboard MV Somahi were confiscated by the Philippine Navy and JTF Gensan.
MV Somahi was stopped near Tampat point east and the operatives were led by Commander Lued Lincuana aboard BRP Salvador Abcede.
Reports received by JTF Gensan Commander Joselito Kakilala said the MV Somahi, which was containing assorted and undocumented quality lumbers (Gemelina, Lawaan, Mahogany and Yakal), departed from Tupay Wharf Pier, in Isabela City, Basilan Province and was heading for General Santos on Monday.
Lincuana said the transport of illegal logs were a violation of forestry laws.
The logs were placed under the custody of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the port of Glan for proper disposition.