A village chief in the capital town of Virac is in big trouble after a court-ordered search led to the seizure of P25,000 worth of illegally cut lumber in his residence last week.
The report from the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office identified the suspect as Dugui Too barangay chairman Demcint “Dick” Beo, 44, who was the subject of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Genie G. Gapas-Agbada.
Last Oct. 1, 2022 at about 6:30 AM, joint elements of the Virac police station, the Catanduanes Provincial Intelligence Unit (CAT-PIU), Catanduanes 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) served the warrant on Beo.
In his residence, the team discovered 40 pieces of narra and Philippine mahogany lumber with an estimated volume of 256.9 board feet.
The seized undocumented lumber is now in the custody of the RTC while Beo was taken to the police station and underwent booking procedure in preparation for the filing of a criminal charge for violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
According to the Virac police, they received a report on the illegal activities of the barangay official so they immediately launched the operation.
In this regard, the police reiterated its appeal for the support and cooperation of the public in the PNP campaign against crime and other illegal activities.
It asked those who have any relevant information to go to the police station or call the Virac MPS hotline at 0918-324-2541.