DENR Region 2 commends NBI anti-logging work

Tuguegarao City—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 commended the operation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against illegal logging, which led to the apprehension of 13,031.91 board feet of illegally cut forest products in the towns of Baggao and Peñablanca in this province.

Gwendolyn Bambalan, DENR-Region 2 executive director, led the department in recognizing the efforts of the NBI in Region 2 for their successful implementation of forest laws in the Cagayan Valley region.

Seven agents were awarded with certificates of commendation during the DENR-Region 2 regional management conference on Thursday here.

They were Supervising Agent Chris Mesa, Supervising Agent Julie Ann Tarona, Senior Agent Clyde Cabasag, Senior Agent Pia Hazel Soga-ang, Senior Agent Martinelli Cobsen, Special Investigator Denver Louie Cabaluna and Patrolman Jay-Ar Bartolome.

Mesa assured assistance to the DENR in environmental law enforcement.

DENR Undersecretary Jim Sampulna for field operations, enforcement and Muslim affairs, graced the management conference and expressed thanks for the active involvement of the NBI in DENR’s forest protection efforts.

“The NBI is the most sought office and reliable entity in law enforcement. Congratulations on being the topnotch law enforcer right now,” Sampulna said, as he thanked the bureau on behalf of Secretary Roy Cimatu for helping the DENR in the pursuit of its mandate.

Sampulna also appealed for the continued support of the NBI in all the undertakings in the department.

Led by its Regional Director Gelacio Bonggat, the NBI also arrested and filed corresponding criminal charges against arrested forest law violators.

On April 26, the DENR and the NBI served the search warrant at the residence of Ernest Sibbaluca in Barangay Minanga in Peñablanca town where they discovered 4,327 board feet of illegally cut hardwood species inside his compound.

The joint team also discovered illegally cut lumber and flitches abandoned in an open lot with a volume of more or less 5,000 board feet.

Another DENR-NBI joint operation was conducted in Santa Margarita in Baggao town which resulted in the apprehension of 3,704 board feet of common hardwood lumber from a certain Judy Fabillar in the guise of a dismantled house.