Wanted person arrested in Balbalan for forestry law violation

BALBALAN, Kalinga — A wanted person was arrested in Barangay Dao-angan, Balbalan, at around 9 p.m. on November 1, 2026, for a violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

The Balbalan Municipal Police Station (MPS), under the supervision of PMAJ Julio C. Salibad, conducted the operation in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division-Cordillera Administrative Region and Conner MPS.

The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 of the Second Judicial Region in Luna, Apayao, under Criminal Case No. 56-2021. The warrant was for the service of sentence.

However, the PNP-Balbalan press release did not disclose the arrested person's name, age, address or other personal details.

It also did not specify the particular offense involved, including whether the case concerned the unauthorized cutting or gathering of trees, or the possession and transport of timber and other forest products without the required permits or documents.

Section 68 of PD 705 penalizes certain activities involving timber and other forest products conducted without the required license or authority. The exact circumstances of the offense in this case cannot be established from the police report.

Police said the arrested person was informed of his constitutional rights and that an alternative recording device was used during the operation.

He was brought to the Balbalan MPS for documentation and proper disposition before being returned to the issuing court.

Kalinga illegal logging operations

Meanwhile, the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) reported that it conducted 19 anti-illegal logging operations across the province from July to September 2026.

The operations resulted in the recovery of 3,172.58 board feet of illegally cut lumber valued at ₱262,371.20 and the arrest of one person, according to figures presented during the Provincial Peace and Order Council's third-quarter meeting on September 30.

The recovered lumber was turned over to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office for proper disposition.

In a separate operation in Barangay Taggay, Pinukpuk, on February 23, 2026, police recovered 15 pieces of lumber measuring 156.5 board feet and valued at approximately ₱9,390. The lumber was found concealed beneath coconut leaves and was subsequently turned over to the CENRO for inventory and proper disposition.