MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) along with agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have confiscated about 20 kilos of agarwood valued at P3.2 million in Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal.
Four suspects were arrested by the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force and the NBI Environmental Crime Division on June 8. They were Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar and Arjhun Gaviola.
The DENR said the suspects were nabbed after they caught in the act of transporting agarwood extracted from local tree species.
Charges of violation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act and the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines have been filed against the suspects who are being held at the NBI detention facility in Manila.
Agarwood, one of the most expensive raw materials for the production of perfume, incense, fragrance oil and traditional medicine, can be sold for as high as P160,000 per kilo.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lauded the DENR and NBI for their “unrelenting efforts to go after the suspects despite quarantine restrictions.” – Elizabeth Marcelo
Original news posted found on this link. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/06/22/2022562/denr-nbi-seize-p32-million-agarwood