PCG: Three persons were apprehended by the Coast Guard and local police in Surigao del Sur for transporting undocumented logs and for refusing to have their boat inspected by authorities last Saturday, 26 April.

The incident sprung from reports by a reliable source stating that an illegal logging activity was observed at the vicinity waters of Brgy. Tape, Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur. Further information disclosed that said logs will be transported onboard a motor boat around midnight at the Cantilan River.

Immediately upon receipt of said report, the personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Cantilan together with the DENR and 1303rd Maritime Police positioned themselves in the river, and around 12:15 midnight, a motor boat colored white and blue was sighted with lumbers at the vicinity waters of Brgy. Consuelo, Cantilan. 

Despite the team's advise to stop, the boat operator continued along the river towards Soccoro, Surigao del Norte thereby forcing the team to give three warning shots for the boat to stop.

They immediately boarded the unnamed motor boat where the boat operator failed to present pertinent documents for his cargo of logs.

The illegal lumbers and motor banca were confiscated and brought back to Cantilan Fish Port in Cantilan as escorted by the team. Upon arrival at the said port, the lumbers mostly identified from their specific name (lawaan and yakal) with 1,000 board feet was turned-over to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) including the motor banca for investigation and proper disposition.

The three crew members onboard namely Junrey Cuata (Captain), Roel Ruia and Danny Rosales were turned over to the PNP for further investigation.