Hot logs worth P300T seized in Argao

A boatload of illegally cut logs worth P300,000 was seized by patrolling Argao police near the shoreline of barangay Poblacion, Argao town in southern Cebu past 11 a.m yesterday.

Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said the motor banca came from Surigao Del Sur and was headed to Sibonga town at the time.

Six crew members were arrested after they failed to produce documents for the logs.

The crew members from Surigao Island were identified as Jerry Flores, 32, boat captain; Daryl Reyes, 25; Crispin Palapos, 40; Jomar Ejoc, 32; Jerry Rowayana, 26; and Joseph Gonzales, 30. All are detained in the Argao police precinct.

Police said they saw the motor banca about 200 meters away from the shoreline.

“It (motor banca) was no longer moving. We thought they were engaged in illegal fishing,” Batobalonos said.

Batobalonos said they contacted the Argao Bantay Dagat Commission and checked the motor banca which they thought was about to sink because it appeared that it experienced engine trouble.

Batobalonos said the logs locally known as magkuno were covered with tarpaulin and the crew members were hesitant to remove it after being asked by police. He said the crew members didn’t resist arrest.

The motor banca was turned over to the Argao Bantay Dagat Commission. Batobalonos said they have yet to identify the owner of the motor banca.

Batobalonos said the seized logs will be turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Reporter Rhea Ruth V. Rosell