Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija — Five people were arrested by the authorities at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion of this town after illegal transporting charcoal on Wednesday.
According to a report by the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office to the Police Regional Office 3, the Peñaranda Municipal Police Station was conducting checkpoint operation along the Peñaranda Road when they hailed a truck loaded with sacks of charcoal.
The Peñaranda Municipal Police Station inspected the cargo, citing that they discovered 362 undocumented sacks of charcoal that amounted to P126,700.
PRO3 director Police Brigadier General Jose Hidalgo Jr. said that the suspects — identified as Crispin Pajarillaga, truck driver; Sherwin Samson; Bobby Rence Melgar alias John Rey and Darwin Bacani — are all residents of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.
Hidalgo said that authorities are also in pursuit of the owner of the illegal cargo identified as Mark Joseph Abes, who is also a native of General Tinio.
Appropriate charges for violation of PD 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines are being prepared against the suspects for court referral.
“This serves as a stern warning to the public against wanton cutting down of trees, transporting of firewood, possession and selling of charcoal without the requisite permits,” Hidalgo said.