The Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga seized P240,000 worth of agarwood in San Francisco Agusan del Sur on Monday (February 24).
Based on the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines, the public is prohibited from chopping down and selling agarwood.
Authorities conducted a checkpoint on a vehicle filled with agarwood after receiving reports of undocumented logs being transported from Samar, Leyte to Tagum City.
“Wala itong naipakitang pertinenteng dukumento (They were not able to provide pertinent documents),” according to Police Regional Office 13 Spokesperson PMaj. Renel Serrano.
Six persons were apprehended during the inspection. Authorities identified them as Jesus Canoningo, Ida Ricote Yanto, Allan Lap-ogan Tiambong, Bonifacio Bernales Cañon, Jr, Anita Daleon Lagare. Marcelina and Jerry Calem Tejio.
Serrano said the apprehended personalities were looking for agarwood to sell for P60,000 per kilo. They will also be facing charges for violating the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
The seized agarwood is now at the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) San Francisco. — AAC (with reports from Raymond Octobre)
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