The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officers and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents seized about 20 kilos of agarwood valued at P3.2 million in Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal.
DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force and the NBI Environmental Crime Division arrested suspects Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar, and Arjhun Gaviola on June 8.
Four suspects were arrested by the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force and the NBI Environmental Crime Division on June 8. They were Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar, and Arjhun Gaviola.
The environmental enforcers seized almost 20 kilos of agarwood valued at ₱3.2 million from the suspects.
Agarwood is a threatened tree species fragrant dark resinous wood and the most expensive raw materials used in making incense and perfume. It could cost at least ₱160,000 per kilo in the Philippines.
According to Rogelio Demelletes Jr., a senior ecosystem management specialist and member of EPETF, their initial investigation showed the confiscated agarwood shipments were grade quality. He added they were likely poached from the forests of Mindanao, particularly Surigao and Agusan provinces.
DENR Administrative Order 2007-01 listed Lapnisan and Lanete trees (where agarwood is extracted) in the national list of threatened Philippine plants.
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Demelletes said high-grade agarwood could have a price of as high as US$30,000 per kilo. Its trafficking has increased indiscriminate cutting of Lanete and Lapnisan trees.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu praised the DENR and NBI enforcers for their efforts to arrest environmental criminals amid the quarantine restrictions.
“This clearly sends out the message that the government’s campaign against environmental offenders remains unrelenting despite a pandemic that is wreaking havoc worldwide,” Cimatu said.
The four suspects were facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act and Presidential Decree 705, otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
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