City Environment and Natural Resources Office confiscates Magkuno hardwood in Mandaue City. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
SEVERAL pieces of illegally logged Mangkono, a premium species of hardwood, were seized yesterday dawn by authorities in Cebu.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR 7), the seized pieces of wood came from Surigao del Sur and were supposed to be brought to Tayud in Liloan town.
DENR’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) led the confiscation with the help of the Philippine Navy. They seized 14 pieces of round logs and six pieces of lumber with a total volume of 843.33 board feet.
Cenro Forest Ranger Jovelito Colot told Cebu Daily News that the estimated value of the logs is P42,166.
“Mangkono is a premium species which means the cutting of this tree is totally banned. It’s not allowed. In fact, under EO 23 of President Aquino, passed in
February 1, 2011, he directed the DENR not to issue permits to cut and transport this kind of wood,” Colot said.
He said Mangkono, which is also referred to as Philippine Iron wood, is industrially used for the dry docks of ships. Domestically, he said it can be used to make heavy furniture like tables and chairs. This species is not found in Cebu and is mostly in Surigao and other parts of Mindanao.
Colot said his office received a tip from the Naval Forces Central past midnight yesterday that there were suspicious cargo being unloaded in Talisay City. By 2 a.m., they were told that the Elf truck, where the logs were loaded, has pulled out from Talisay.
This was when Cenro, together with some SWAT members from Mandaue, pursued the truck. They were able to apprehend the vehicle past 2:30 a.m. near the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.
The team was able to identify a certain Albert Opea from Surigao del Sur as the owner of the illegal logs together with his driver Ricardo Blanco of Zamboanga del Sur. The truck they used was registered to a certain Raul Tortuga of Barangay Quiot in Cebu City.
The truck and the logs are currently kept in the Cenro office near Pier 3 in Cebu City.
Meanwhile, Colot said they freed the owner and driver and will just be summoning them in an administrative hearing to be conducted by Cenro which is yet to be scheduled.
After investigation, the Cenro will file a case against the suspects if the DENR regional office recommends to do so, he added.