Navy and CENRO Quezon score anew against illegal logging operations LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 23 (PIA) -- Naval Forces Southern Luzon and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Quezon continue its anti illegal-logging efforts where it left off last year with the discovery of new modus of illegal loggers and confiscation of 42 pieces or 1,773 board feet of Malaruhat hardwood at Magallanes, Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon on January 16. Said logs were initially spotted along the river inlet at said place. The following day, navy divers conducted underwater recon along with CENRO personnel and found the said logs which were submerged into deeper water by the illegal loggers, said Navy Ensign Chibar Bullos of Naval Detachment Infanta. The said logs were deliberately submerged in brackish water so that it will be hard for the authorities to locate and retrieve it. This is one of the modus of the illegal loggers in the area, said Miliarette Panaligan, CENRO from Quezon. CENRO lauded the prompt response of the navy and continuous active support in anti-illegal logging operations in the area. As mentioned in the Executive Order no. 23, it is the obligation of the State to protect the remaining forest cover areas of the country not only to prevent flash floods and hazardous flooding but also to preserve biodiversity, protect threatened habitats and sanctuaries of endangered and rare species, and allow natural regeneration of residual forests and development of plantation forests. The order also called for the creation of the anti-illegal logging task force to enforce the moratorium and lead a reinvigorated anti-illegal logging campaign. Commodore Abraham F Celzo AFP congratulated its personnel in Quezon and urged to continue active support to the advocacy and efforts consistent with EO 23. Since the activation of said task force in the middle of last year, the Command has recorded a total of seven successful anti-illegal logging operations which resulted to the confiscation of 8,148.85 board feet of assorted lumber valued at P4.02 million, Commodore Celzo AFP added. (MAL/DFN, Navforsol)