Cops seize P4.5M worth of illegally cut logs in Quezon province

Government forces over the weekend recovered some P4.5 million worth of flitches from illegally-cut logs in Mauban town in Quezon province.

The flitches found in a river in Mauban included hardwood narra and kamagong, GMA News correspondent Peewee Bacuño reported Sunday.


^{Photo by Peewee Bacuño}

An initial assessment by the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed the flitches were worth some P4 million, but a police report said this could be worth P4.5 million.

Government forces including representatives from the police, Army and DENR had conducted a four-day operation in the Barangay Tapucan area.

DENR divers had a hard time getting to the area since the flitches were submerged in the river and scattered in different areas in the river.

The DENR said it is not discounting the possibility illegal logging remains rampant in northern Quezon.

They warned the problem may lead to deadly flash floods if it is not checked.

A police report cited by Bacuño said there were 420 pieces of narra and kamagong flitches or 17,969.69 estimated board feet.

The seized flitches were brought to the DENR's custody.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News