An abaca stripper transporting undocumented lumber might have escaped with his hot cargo had it not been for a chance encounter with the police.
The Catanduanes police reported last week that joint elements of the Viga police station and the 2nd Police Mobile Force Company were monitoring illegal activities at Almojuela at about 4:30 P.M. of June 25, 2020 when they encountered Felix Gamelong Minor, 39, a resident of the village, while in possession of 18 pieces of 2×2 and 2×3 “apnit” lumber with a total volume of 90 board feet and estimated value of P7,200.
He will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 705.
Meanwhile, three other persons were arrested by the authorities last week in connection with separate criminal charges filed against them before the Regional Trial Court.
In Belmonte, San Andres, operatives nabbed Reynaldo Diwata dela Torre, 70, married, last June 23 at 1:30 P.M. on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by RTC Branch 42 Presiding Judge Genie G. Gapas-Agbada for a case of acts of lasciviousness with bail set at P200,000, as well as another warrant issued by RTC Branch 43 Presiding Judge Lelu P. Contreras for two counts of non-bailable rape in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Two hours later in the same town, Sarah Manlangit Sollegue, 53, was apprehended in Alibuag to face a complaint for violation of Sec. 10(a) of RA 7610, with bail recommended at P80,000, filed before RTC Branch 42.
In Quezon, Bagamanoc, law enforcers collared 29-year old Hanie Mae Villafuerte Echaluce, who is facing a similar charge before the same court.