THE Philippine Coast Guard in Romblon confiscated undocumented forest products (furniture) with an estimated market value of Php 560K in the vicinity waters off Brgy. Azagra, San Fernando, Romblon yesterday, 27 December 2023.
Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Cajidiocan received a report regarding the said monitored undocumented furniture to be transported to Mandaon, Masbate.
The apprehension team, composed of CGSS Cajidiocan, CGSS Magdiwang, and personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), conducted a search operation on the cargoes onboard the reported motorbanca “UMW Navigator” to validate the information, which yielded a positive result and found the following forest products such as 16 pieces of dining chairs; and One (1) piece eight-seater dining table (narra and white and red lauan).
Further, DENR personnel conducted verification on the necessary pertinent documents for the furniture. However, the boat captain of the MBCA failed to present the needed documents to transport the furniture, which led the DENR to prompt the apprehension team to confiscate the aforesaid furniture in violation of Section 77 PD 705, otherwise known as the Forestry Code of the Philippines as amended by RA 7161.
Moreover, the confiscated furniture was brought to the barangay hall of Azagra for safekeeping and proper disposition, and the unidentified owner of the said furniture will be summoned and subject to regular filing of the case by the DENR.
