Two men were arrested for alleged unauthorized cutting and transportation of trees in separate incidences while two men including a barangay councilor and a woman wanted for illegal logging surrendered to authorities in Dimiao on Wednesday.

Lucino Galcao was allegedly caught in the act of illegally cutting down coconut trees near his residence in Sitio Mahayan , Barangay Cayam in Garcia Hernandez.

Police together with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) personnel responded to reports from residents in the area on Galcao’s alleged illegal activities.

Authorities said that they seized from Galcao’s possession 21 illegally cut coconut trees while the suspect was unable to present documents such as a permit from the PCA.

In Dimiao, police arrested Bernardo Kahate, a resident of Brgy. Botoc Occidental in Loay, at a checkpoint in the town while he was allegedly transporting illegally cut pieces of lumber.

Kahate was arrested by police at 1 p.m. while driving a multicab along the national highway in Barangay Balbalan, Dimiao.

The suspect was detained at the lock-up jail of the Dimiao Police Station after he was unable to show documents for the lumber to authorities.

Police confiscated from Kahate 28 pieces of lumber.

Meanwhile, two men and a woman surrendered to authorities in Dimiao reportedly after finding out that arrest warrants were issued against them for illegal cutting of coconut trees.

Police identified the suspects as Henry Pagot, a village councilor in Brgy Uwak, Dimiao, Cebu resident Josefina Sta. Cruz and Julieto Siroy, a chainsaw operator living in said barangay.

The arrest warrants against the three were issued by Judge Perpito Magallano Jr. of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court based in Dimiao.

A bail of P12,000 each has been set for their temporary liberty. (Allen Doydora)