Three abaca strippers, including two residents of Baras, were caught by authorities while in the act of cutting an “atipolo” tree using a chainsaw in barangay Cagraray, Bato last Friday.
The suspects were identified as Genie “Freddie” Toledana Sumulat of Cagraray, Roman Camacho Abines and Ranny Bhoy Roxas Abines, both of Rizal, Baras.
Responding to a tip sent to the Bato police station regarding the illegal cutting of trees within the mountainous area of Cagraray, personnel of the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Catanduanes led by Forester II Noel Lopez Lena, together with Operations PNCO PMSg. Ryan C. Bobier and Investigator PCpl. Bruce Ramset M. Quiñones, under the supervision of Acting Chief of Police PCpt. Leo S. Templonuevo, proceeded to the area on Feb. 19, 2026.
The suspects failed to present the necessary permit to cut trees as well as to use the registered chainsaw and were subsequently arrested by Forester I Alex Lovendino Nierva and Forest Ranger Alvin Trinidad Padayao for violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002.
Confiscated from the possession of the suspects were a Stihl 070 chainsaw with serial number 107738410 and 18 pieces of “atipolo” lumber of assorted sizes, with the lumber having an estimated market value of P12,470.
The incident was documented using an Oppo A5 Pro cellular phone as an Alternate Recording Device (ARD), the police report said.
After being apprised of their constitutional rights, the suspects were subjected to medical examination at Bato Maternity and Children’s Hospital and are in custody of the Bato police station.
The pieces of evidence were brought by DENR-PENRO personnel to their office in Virac for proper disposition prior to the filing of appropriate criminal charges.