Army arrests 3, seized illegally cut lumbers, gun in Maguindanao
Climate Change/Environment • 21:45 PM Wed May 29, 2019
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
The illegally cut forest products in Barira, Maguindanao. (37th IB photo)
COTABATO CITY – Alert soldiers intercepted Tuesday illegally cut forest products, a firearm and arrested three persons in Barira, Maguindanao, the military here said.
First Lieutenant Ric Pitallano, commanding officer of the Bravo company of the 37th Infantry Battalion, said in a report that 1,832 board feet of lumber of various sizes in two cargo trucks were intercepted in Sitio Kalilangan, Barangay Lamin, Barira, Maguindanao.
Three persons, Rudtha Fanares, Marju Elias and Bacve Morog, all hired laborers and residents of Barangay Lipawan, Barira, Maguindanao, were arrested.
The drivers of two cargo trucks, a Mazda Titan owned by Noria Baruto Taguya and a Mazda Bongo owned by Saadudin Marangit Bauntong, managed to escape.
Pitallano said an unlicensed cal. 22 rifle with ammunition was also found in one of the vehicles.
Pitallano said the 37th Infantry “Conqueror” Battalion will continue to help the government preserve environment and prevent further forest destruction in its area of assignment.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the 37th IB for a job well done and urged the public to help protect the remaining forest cover in Maguindanao.