Navy Captain Dick Ruiz, commander of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon, in his report to PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ernesto H. de Leon, said personnel of Patrol Gunboat 378 (PG 378), while conducting maritime patrol operations shortly before midnight Thursday, intercepted M/V B & E Cinco loaded with assorted illegal lumber northwest of Verde Island. The vessel had 24 crew members on board.

Seized were 4,420 pieces of Benguet fine logs valued at R2.2 million. The vessel and logs were reportedly owned by the Seern Sam Shipping Corp. and Bukidnon Forest Inc., respectively.

Initial information disclosed that the hot logs were transported from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to be shipped to Manila and later by land to Toplite Lumber in Valenzuela City.

A day after, Friday, at about 9 a.m., in another maritime patrol operation, PG 378 apprehended M/V B & E Tres while loaded with 716,744 Philippine lauan worth R17.8 million at 1.4 nautical miles north of Verde Island.

The M/V B & E Tres, with 26 crew members on board, is reportedly owned by B & E Sea Transportation Inc.

Information gathered from the skipper of the ship, Captain Rufo Gemoros, and Chief Mate Rodolfo Gerance, disclosed that the lumber is owned by Luzon Mahogany Timber Industry Inc. It was reportedly loaded in Dapitan Bay, Dilasag, Aurora, and will be unloaded in Manila.

Captain Gerry Malabanan, PN spokesman, said that crew members of PG 378 and members of the Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWAG) escorted the two vessels from Batangas City Anchorage to Sangley Point, Cavite City for investigation and turnover of the lumber to representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

De Leon lauded members of the apprehending unit — the Naval Task Force 31 — which is under the command of Navy Captain Feliciano Angue.