‘Nothing illegal in release of seized lumber’

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The Cagayan police director said he has no reason to relieve the police chief of Gattaran town accused of illegally releasing P182,000 worth of seized narra lumber last March.

Senior Superintendent James Melad, provincial police director, was reacting to the letter of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor to Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao seeking the relief of Senior Inspector Frank Tagupa, Gattaran police chief, for his allegedly dubious and illegal release of the 2,144 board feet of narra.

Melad said Tagupa ordered the release of the narra lumber and the six-wheeler truck used in transporting it after their owner was able to present "proper documents" 10 days after the Gattaran police took temporary custody of the alleged contraband.

"There’s no more reason for the Gattaran police to withhold the narra lumber after the owner presented the proper documents," Melad said.

Besides, the issue had already been "cleared and settled" with the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he said.