The National Bureau of Investigation  (NBI) on Tuesday said that top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are now facing charges for their alleged involvement in the illegal shipment of hot logs in Sarangani province last month.

The NBI on its advisory said that sued for violation of Article 68 of the Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines as amended by Executive Order 277 were DENR Community Officer-West officer-in-charge Ben Acana, DENR officers Jose Odillon Solamo and Pidling Ujajun; MV Somahi ship Capt. Vilmo Viason and the ship’s crew Simpao Dante; Palapos Carlito; Arturo Baladiang; Jeoffrey Calumnas; Ullyses Aclo; Elorde Ronnie; Avelino Labajo; and Joemari Canja.

It also charged the officers of Amadeo Fishing Corp., owner of the ship used for transporting the seized illegal logs, namely Eduardo Amadeo; Leonida Amasdeo; Helen Anderson; Patricio Amadeo; Juvy Deena Amadeo; and Charles Anderson; as well as Hadji Mashur Ismae, who was the alleged owner of the mahogany poles.

NBI said that these people were charged for their connection with the P4-million worth of contraband logs, including, 4,282 pieces of mahogany, tablons, gmelina and yakal seized aboard a MV Somahi en route to Sarangani province last August.