Four arrested as maritime police seize undocumented lumber in Quezon

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Confiscated narra flitches from the Sept. 14 Mauban operation are documented before turnover to environmental au...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Confiscated narra flitches from the Sept. 14 Mauban operation are documented before turnover to environmental authorities. (Maritime Quezon)

MAUBAN, Quezon - Separate maritime police operations over two days in Quezon resulted in four arrests and the seizure of 888.25 board feet of undocumented narra and coconut lumber. The recent operations in Tagkawayan and Mauban yielded forest products with a combined reported value of ₱107,737.50.

In Sitio Tejero, Barangay Lual Barrio, Mauban, personnel of the Northern Quezon Maritime Law Enforcement Team arrested one individual on Sept. 14 for alleged possession of undocumented narra flitches. The operation was conducted with the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Tayabas and Quezon Task Force Kalikasan.

Authorities said operatives received information at around 11:30 a.m. that narra flitches were allegedly being kept in the area without the required permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The team proceeded to the site and arrested the suspect after allegedly finding the forest products in the individual’s possession without supporting documents.

Police confiscated one lot of narra flitches measuring a total of 588.25 board feet and carrying an estimated market value of ₱88,237.50. The seized forest products are being held as evidence in the alleged violation of Section 68 of Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended by Executive Order No. 277.

The arrested individual and the confiscated evidence were placed under the custody of the Northern Quezon MLET in Mauban following the operation. Authorities said the seized forest products were scheduled for turnover to DENR Mauban for proper disposition and appropriate administrative action.

Regional Maritime Unit 4A chief PCOL Ricardo I. Dalmacia said Maritime Group personnel enforce environmental laws in addition to conducting fisheries and coastal operations. He cited illegal logging and violations involving coconut trees among the offenses pursued by maritime police in the region.

“Hindi lang para sa pangisdaan o sa katubigan ang Maritime. Lahat ng environmental laws ay iniimplement ng PNP Maritime Group, kasama ang illegal logging pati ang Coconut Preservation Act,” Dalmacia said.

A day earlier in Barangay San Roque, Tagkawayan, members of the Quezon Maritime Law Enforcement Team arrested three individuals allegedly caught loading and transporting undocumented coconut lumber. Authorities said they acted on information that the lumber was being prepared for transport without the permits and supporting documents required by the Philippine Coconut Authority.

The three allegedly failed to present the required PCA documents when confronted by authorities, leading to their arrest and the confiscation of the lumber. Police recovered about 77 pieces of sawn coconut lumber measuring approximately 300 board feet and valued at an estimated ₱19,500.

Dalmacia said reports from residents remain a primary source of information for maritime police operations involving suspected environmental violations. He said community reports have helped authorities identify activities involving unauthorized tree cutting and other offenses affecting natural resources.

“Primary source of information namin ang mga sumbong ng ating mga kababayan. Nakikita natin na nagiging aware sila na ang pagputol ng puno o pagsira ng kalikasan ay hindi maganda,” Dalmacia said.

The three Tagkawayan suspects face complaints under Republic Act No. 8048, or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 10593. The law regulates the cutting of coconut trees, while Philippine Coconut Authority rules also cover the transport of coconut logs and lumber.