In a significant enforcement action, a 50-year-old man was apprehended by operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Mandaue City Field Unit on Friday morning, March 6, 2026. The arrest targeted an illegal logging and quarry operation, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat environmental violations in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Operation
The suspect, identified as Noel Gerongco Caparoso, a resident of Purok Lutheran, Barangay Santa Cruz, Liloan City, was taken into custody during a raid conducted at 8:22 a.m. This operation was part of the CIDG 7's flagship program, "Oplan Kalikasan," aimed at protecting natural resources and enforcing environmental regulations.
Illegal Activities Uncovered
According to reports, Caparoso was operating an illegal logging site that sold solid wood varieties, including Mahogany, Molave, and Gmelina, without the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In addition to the unauthorized logging, surveillance and validation by CIDG and DENR 7 revealed that the suspect was also conducting an illegal quarry operation in Campo 4, Talisay City, despite lacking the required permits for such activities.
Evidence Seized
During the raid, authorities confiscated several pieces of equipment and vehicles used in the illegal operations. The seized items included an Isuzu dump truck with Plate No. JAS 5158, a Fuso Fighter dump truck with Plate No. XNA 337 loaded with 5 cubic meters of sand, and two shovels utilized for extracting sand and gravel. These materials are now held as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Legal Charges and Custody
Caparoso is currently in the custody of authorities and is set to face multiple charges for his alleged violations. The charges include breaches of Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705, also known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 7942, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. These laws are designed to regulate forestry and mining activities to prevent environmental degradation and ensure sustainable resource management.
The arrest underscores the government's commitment to cracking down on illegal environmental practices that threaten biodiversity and natural habitats. It serves as a warning to others engaged in similar unauthorized activities, emphasizing the legal consequences of flouting environmental regulations.
