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Navymen abort lumber smuggling in Cagayan

STA. ANA, Cagayan – An attempt to smuggle cut lumber via this town was recently thwarted by Philippine Navy operatives off the town’s coast. Naval operatives of the San Vicente Naval Operations Base seized 600 board feet of lumber which lacked proper documents loaded in a motorboat bound to an unknown destination.

Residents said this proved that not only are luxury cars had been entering illegally through its ports but also precious lumber.

Major General Isagani Cachuela, commander of the Northern Luzon Command from where the Naval Forces North Luzon under Commodore Jose Alano take their orders said, naval soldiers spotted the suspicious “banca” midnight of July 18 passing by approximately 300 yards. 

The authorities signaled for the vehicle to come closer for a search. Discovered from the boat were sawn good lumber of assorted sizes without proper documents. 

The boats’s crew was named by Cachuela as Jessie Quindica, 40, the boat owner; Sammy Abanujat, 28, and Mark Bagasin, 26; all from Barangay Patunungan, Centro, also in Sta. Ana town.

Although all were released after investigation, the motorboat and illegal logs were kept for custody at the San Vicente Naval Operations Base. – CL