8ID, PNP and CENRO confiscate illegally cut lumbers

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 21, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Army troops under the Oras based 14th Infantry (AVENGER) Battalion, Dolores PNP and Dolores Eastern Samar Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) confiscated 70 pieces of Dipterocarp lumber totaling 1,120 board feet at Barangay 2, Dolores, Eastern Samar last August 13, 2015.

In a report from Lt. Col. Peter B. Burgonio, Commanding Officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion, DENR Region 8 made coordination with 14th IB to assist them in confiscating the lumber while issuing apprehension receipts in violation to section 77 RA 7161. The forest products, upon confiscation, were brought and placed in the custody of CENRO, Dolores, Eastern Samar for proper disposition.

It can be recalled that in first semester this year, the 8ID, together with the Provincial and Municipal local Chief Executives, spearheaded the declaration of their areas as insurgency-free, thus, paving the way for the line units of the Division to focus their efforts on non-traditional role.

Meanwhile, another 1,149 board feet of illegally cut Lawaan lumber were confiscated by the elements of 802nd Brigade, Burauen PNP and Burauen MENRO in a joint anti-illegal logging operation at Barangay Matin-ao, Burauen, Leyte last August 12, 2015 that netted them 1,419 board feet of Lawaan lumber. The confiscated pieces of lumber were brought to Burauen Municipal Hall for safekeeping prior to its turn-over to proper DENR unit.

The accomplishments are results of the Command’s convergence efforts with various stakeholders throughout Eastern Visayas where the Army has set focus more on non-traditional role of assisting other government agencies to enforce laws.