FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Elements of the 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion (84IB) of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division (7ID) of the Philippine Army confiscated illegal logs while conducting focused military operation in the hinterlands of Barangay Rio Chico, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija last October 26, 2022.
About 300 pieces of illegally cut good lumber with approximate sizes of six by 12 inches by 12 feet were discovered on the river banks of Rio Chico in Brgy. Sumacbao which is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges.
Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Gil C Ileto, Commanding Officer of 84IB, saiD, “The discovery of illegal logging activities was reported to the local government unit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for further conduct of anti-illegal logging operations in the area”.
“Karamihan ng mga troso na napuputol nila sa kabundukan na ito ay pinapaanod nila sa Rio Chico o sa Sumacbao river hanggang sa makaabot sa barangay Pias ng Gen. Tinio o kaya ay sa lugar na kayang salubungin ng sasakyan kaya importante ang pinalakas na law enforcement operations with the Philippine National Police” Ileto also said.
“I urge those perpetrators to stop illegal logging activity or face the full force of the law,” Ileto added.
It can be recalled that on September 04, 2022, 84IB troops apprehended 18 suspected illegal loggers in the vicinity of the same barangay and turned them over to the Gen. Tinio Police Station. The suspects were apprehended after being caught in possession of chainsaws without permits, which violates RA 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2022, and with more or less 5,000 board feet of illegally cut forest products.
Meanwhile, 84IB reaffirmed its commitment in assisting other government agencies in enforcing environmental laws, rules, and regulations.
Major General Andrew D. Costelo, Commander of 7ID, stated, “We have been stepping up our efforts with other law enforcement agencies to protect our natural forest resources through regular tree planting activities and anti-illegal logging operations, particularly in this part of the country.”
