By Ritzy Robles Malo-oy

An estimated P84, 000 worth of hot lumbers were confiscated by police officers in La Castellana town last Tuesday during the conduct of checkpoint operation.

PInsp. Romeo Vargas, police chief, revealed that the illegally transported coconut lumber were seized during the conduct of chekpoint along Feria Street in the said town.

The lumbers were loaded in an Isuzu cargo truck owned by Leonisa Vallega and driven by Imeldo Brava, 41, which was flagged down by policemen.

Vargas said that Vallega immediately approached him and handed one folded paper with a P1, 000 bill placed inside and told him that the money was a gift for the team.

However, the police chief promptly arrested the suspect and upon verification of the documents, it was discovered that Vallega was carrying more than the allowable quantity which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.

Police officers accounted 6,000 board feet of coconut lumber that came from Negros Oriental while the cargo truck was impounded at the La Castellana PNP Station.

Additional charges for violation of Article 212 (Corruption of Public Officials) of the Revised Penal Code is being prepared by local policemen against Vallega, police report added.* (RRM)