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Army nabs 3, seizes illegally cut logs in Maguindanao

By Noel Punzalan and Edwin Fernandez

May 29, 2019, 1:55 pm

<p><strong>INTERCEPTED.</strong> The seized illegally-cut lumber in Barira, Maguindanao on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Soldiers belonging to the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion arrested three suspects and seized an illegal firearm in one of two cargo trucks carrying the forest products. <em><strong>(Photo courtesy of 37th IB)</strong></em></p>

INTERCEPTED. The seized illegally-cut lumber in Barira, Maguindanao on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Soldiers belonging to the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion arrested three suspects and seized an illegal firearm in one of two cargo trucks carrying the forest products. (Photo courtesy of 37th IB)

COTABATO CITY -- Government soldiers intercepted Tuesday illegally cut forest products and arrested three persons in Barira, Maguindanao.

1Lt. Ric Pitallano, commanding officer of Bravo Company of the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB), in a report said 1,832 board feet of lumber of various sizes in two cargo trucks were intercepted at Sitio Kalilangan, Barangay Lamin, Barira, Maguindanao.

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 in his report to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Pitallano added that an unlicensed .22-caliber rifle with ammunition was also found in one of the vehicles.

He said the 37IB-Bravo Company will continue to help the government preserve the environment and prevent further forest destruction in its area of assignment.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, has lauded the 37IB for a job well done and urged the public to help protect the remaining forest cover in Maguindanao. (PNA)

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