The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Zamboanga Peninsula has confiscated illegally sawn lumber in the Municipality of San Miguel in Zamboanga del Sur on September 7 following reports that Dipterocarp trees were allegedly being cut in the area.

“The joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigation, 53rd Infantry Battalion Philippine Army and DENR PENRO Zamboanga del Sur resulted in the confiscation of 1,265 board feet of lawaan and yakal species. These are now impounded at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Pagadian City,” said DENR Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Executive Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez.

“There are still 1,600 board feet of lumber to be hauled from the area,” Rodriguez added.

Some 3,000 board feet of yakal and lawaan lumber were discovered in the operation.

An inventory done by the operations team revealed a total of 30 tree stumps in the area.

According to Rodriguez, the suspect in the illegal cutting of trees has been apprehended and was scheduled for inquest by the NBI on Sept. 8.

On August 15, PENRO Zamboanga del Sur seized illegally-sawn lumber estimated to be worth around P1.3 million in Langapod, Labangan.

Rodriguez lauded the support of the NBI and the Philippine Army as well as the continued efforts of PENRO Zamboanga del Sur in the crackdown of illegal environmental activities in the province.