Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police/Facebook
Authorities halted the transport of undocumented anahaw timber during an early morning maritime patrol in Navotas City, leading to the filing of charges against three individuals, police said.
The operation was carried out by the Baseco Maritime Law Enforcement Team, which intercepted a vessel found to be carrying forest products without the required permits and documentation.
Operatives apprehended the suspects and confiscated around 130 pieces of anahaw timber, along with the boat used in the alleged transport. The seized cargo and vessel were estimated to be worth about Php 456,050.
Initial investigation indicated that the timber was supposedly bound for delivery to Bataan, but the individuals on board failed to present any authorization for the collection and movement of the forest products.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said the interception highlighted the risks posed by illegal resource extraction to communities and the environment.
He noted that the seizure was not only about enforcing the law but also about safeguarding natural resources, stressing that unlawful activities that damage the environment will be dealt with accordingly.
The arrested individuals were brought to the Northern NCR Maritime Police Station for documentation and processing as authorities prepared the necessary complaints against them.
Police said the suspects would face charges under the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, which penalizes the unauthorized cutting, possession, and transport of forest products, as enforcement of environmental regulations remains an ongoing priority.
