TEN men including a member of the Quirino Police Provincial Office were arrested in an anti-illegal logging operation in Cabbaroguis municipality. Police Regional Office 2 director, Brigadier General Crizaldo O. Nieves said.
The Cagayan Valley police director said Corporal Grengo Frank Eustaquio, a 33-year old member of the Cabarroguis Municipal Police Station, was arrested in a follow-up operation inside their station.
“He was arrested after investigators discovered a series of text messages between him and the owner of the confiscated illegally-cut timber products which revealed his knowledge on the matter,” said Nieves.
According to the Cagayan Valley police director, members of the PRO2 Regional Intelligence Division, the Quirino PPO and the Aglipay Municipal Police Station conducted the anti-illegal logging operation in Bgy. Victoria at 4 a.m.
Initially arrested were the owner of the lumber products and the cargo truck identified as Marjole Silao,37; its driver Redentor Silao,37; and helpers Jaynard Ladia,32; Felipe Mercardo,40; Marcelo Lumosan,27; Jerick James Tiburcio,27; Francis Ladia,24; Donato Abon,27; and Regie Reyes,42.
All are residents of Bgy. Palacian in Aglipay.
Recovered during the operation were around 2,221 board feet of illegally-cut red ‘Lawahan-Mayapis’ lumber and a forward truck with plate no. RBH-382.
The PRO2 director said that during initial investigation, a cell phone confiscated from the truck owner yielded an exchange of text messages between the latter and Cpl. Eustaquio.
“The messages were very incriminating on the side of the arrested policeman,” said the official.
Charges for violation of the forestry law will be filed against the arrested suspects. Nieves said he will also order the filing of administrative charges against the Quirino
