Undocumented forest products with 20,866 board feet in volume of White and Red Lauan species, two (2) chainsaw, and one (1) bandsaw used in the illegal cutting operations at Sitio Bulubudtua, Brgy. Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao were apprehended on 2 October 2022 by the Philippine Marine Corps (Marine Battalion Landing Team – MBLT-5) stationed at Sitio Bliss, Brgy. NItuan, Parang, Maguindanao.

The Regional Administrative Adjudication Committee of the MENRE, chaired by MENRE Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab and Vice-Chaired by Forest Management Services (FMS) Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, held an adjudication proceeding for the seized forest products and machineries on 8 November 2022 together with the Provincial ENRE Officer of Maguindanao Lauban S. Abdul. The cut logs were subsequently found to have no supporting legal documents, which violates Section 68 of Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

For safekeeping, the apprehended forest products and machineries are under the custody of the MLBT-5.

Pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 97-32 or the “1997 Rules for the Administrative Adjudication of Illegal Forest Products and the Machinery, Equipment, Tools, and Conveyances Used in Connection Therewith”, the MENRE held the adjudication proceeding to exercise its administrative jurisdiction over the seized forest products.