COTABATO CITY — The Regional Administrative Adjudication Committee (RAAC) held an adjudication proceeding on 02 May 2024 for the apprehended forest products valued at ₱125,075.00 and conveyance seized at Brgy. Lumbac Ingud, Marantao, Lanao del Sur.

On 08 April 2024, the Marantao Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by COP PMaj Bobby Mario E. Egera conducted a routine mobile patrol and spotted a 6-wheeler truck with plate number MCK 904. The truck had crashed into a residential house and was carrying 162 pieces of mahogany lumber. As the driver was unable to present any documents for the lumber, the authorities apprehended them on the spot.

The apprehension was conducted in grave violation of Section 68 of Presidential Decree No. 705, Executive Order No. 23 series of 2011, Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 161 of 2003, and other existing MENRE rules and regulations pertaining to the harvesting of forest products without a license.

EMS II Omair M. Onsil and Forest Ranger Zul-qarmain P. Guro, in the presence of PCpl Ansari B. Hadji Daud and PCpl Mujahid L. Dalan from the Marantao MPS, identified and scaled the illegally cut mahogany lumbers with a total volume of 5,003 board feet or 11.79 cubic meters.

The apprehended forest products and conveyance are currently in the custody of the Marantao MPS. The identified violator has been detained in Marantao MPS, demonstrating the prompt action taken in response to the offense. This serves as a stern warning that the government is serious about upholding the law on forest management and safeguarding our natural resources.

Present during the adjudication were the RAAC Chair and Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab, Vice Chair and Forest Management Services Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, Member and Chief of Legal and Legislative Liaison Division Atty. Mark Esmael R. Nor, Member and Chief of Forest Protection and Law Enforcement Division Sobair M. Macabinta, Jr., representatives from the PENREO and CENREOs of Lanao del Sur, PCpl Ansari B. Hadji Daud, and the secretariat.

According to the agreement, the RAAC will recommend to MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim that the apprehended forest products must be confiscated and used in favor of the government.