AUTHORITIES seized more than P2 million worth of undocumented lumber inside a warehouse in Sitio Libo, Barangay Tayud in Consolacion town, Cebu province, past 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 18.
Superintendent Rene Kyamko, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO)-Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) chief, said the seized lumber has an estimated value of P2,467,040.
A mix of hardwood and other lumber (approximately 61,670 board feet which is equivalent to 145 cubic meter) were seized by the members of the CPPO-PIB, Central Visayas Regional Maritime Unit, Naval Intelligence Security Group Central and Consolacion Police Station.
A search warrant, which was issued by Mandaue City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Mercedita Dadole Ygnacio, authorized the raid under CPPO's Oplan Sutokil (Serving Unrelentingly by Targeting Outlaws, Kindless and Lawlessness).
The owner of the warehouse, Melvin Montellano, was not caught during the operation.
Montellano, however, will be charged for violating the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines). (Kevin A. Lagunda/VoxPop Cebu)