DENR upbeat on anti-logging drive; cites support from Army, police

CABANATUAN CITY - Environment officials in Nueva Ecija are upbeat about their anti-illegal logging campaign, pinning hope on the “displayed support” from both the military and police agencies as political activities reportedly opened the gate for illicit activities in some areas.

This as Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Joselito Blanco reported on Monday the apprehension of another vehicle (DNC-583) loaded with 880 board feet of assorted lumber by joint operatives from Army’s 33rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Barangay Sinasajan, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija.

The CIDG and 33rd MIB, led by Supt. Ferdinand Vero and Col. Leodegario dela Paz, respectively turned over the hot items to the Cenro office for proper disposition. Blanco noted that the latest apprehension was on top of the more than 7,000 bd ft illegally sawn lumber in two of Nueva Ecija’s critical areas over the weekend amid reports that the nefarious activities proliferate last week.

The troops earlier recovered 4,396 bd ft of assorted lumber in Barangay Las Piñas, Peñaranda town then in another operation, elements of theprovincial mobile group headed by Chief Insp. Nick Malazzab and DENR personnel found 3,580 bd ft in Barangay Concepcion, Gen. Tinio. Peñarada and Gen. Tinio are adjacent municipalities, southeast of Nueva Ecija and are both deemed critical in forest condition.

These areas are among places under total log ban.