CONCERNED units of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have been ordered by their new director, Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat Jr. to further intensify their campaign against illegal logging in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“We’re stepping-up our enforcement of one of our flagship programs called ‘Oplan: Kalikasan’ to help the government protect our environment,” said the official.

This week, two residents of Mauban, Quezon were arrested by local CIDG agents while in possession of some 500 board feet of “Makaasim” timber and a chainsaw worth over P10,000.

The duo is now facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 705, otherwise known as the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines, and Section 7 (4) of Republic Act (RA) 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002.

Both were held at the CIDG 4-A Quezon Field Office following their arrest, said CIDG Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 4-A chief, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Manuel A. Ana.

“Ang pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan at likas na yaman ay pananagutan ng lahat. Ang CIDG ay mahigpit na pinapatupad ang ‘Oplan Kalikasan’ upang mahuli ang mga illegal na gawain na sumisira sa ating kalikasan at mapanagot ang mga taong nasa likod nito,” said Caramat.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon