Navy arrest 14, seize illegal lumber in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (May 29): Navy arrest 14, seize illegal lumber in Maguindanao

The Philippine Navy has arrested 14 persons for transporting illegally cut lumbers in the coast of Maguindanao Sunday, police reported on Monday.

A navy patrol boat providing sea support to government forces pursuing Islamist in Marawi City intercepted the motorboat off the coast of Matanog, Maguindanao loaded with 93 pieces of cut lumber without pertinent documents.

"The suspects and the forest product were turned over to us by the Navy for proper disposition," said Chief Inspector Erwin Tabora, Parang town police chief. Tabora said the suspects were apprehended between the border of Parang and Matanog towns.

Tabora identified the suspects as Damz Anday 18; Ali Dima 20; Bryan de Ocampo 23; Ato Dima 27; John Camad 27; Sawal Buisan 58 and eight minors, all residents of Lugay-Lugay, Cotabato City.

Tabora said the suspects were on board a motorized banca from Picong, Lanao del Sur en route to Cotabato City when accosted.

Tabora said the forest products will be turned over to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Navy was deployed off the coast of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur to prevent jihadist Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf from fleeing Lanao Sur and Marawi City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/991709