Authorities of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) look at a counterfeit chainsaw seized in Valenzuela, April 15, 2025. Handout/DENR

VALENZUELA CITY — Authorities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) seized around 241 pieces of counterfeit chainsaws in a buy-bust operation at a warehouse in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, Valenzuela on Tuesday afternoon.

DENR Assistant Secretary Norlito Eneran said that their personnel from the Environment Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS), together with CIDG- CAMANAVA, conducted the buy bust operation against three Chinese nationals and one Filipino, after receiving information that the suspects are selling chainsaws without any permit to import and sell from the DENR.

Initial investigation revealed that they were selling the chainsaws for P16,000 a piece for large chainsaws, which is more than half the price of the authentic chainsaws that usually costs around P85,000.

Eneran said that the confiscated items have no serial number nor DTI sticker, and did not undergo any quality check which imposes safety risks for buyers.

The suspects are also allegedly selling it to people involved in illegal logging.

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga personally inspected the confiscated items in the warehouse.

The seized items, which are worth around P3.6 million, will be temporarily stored in the DENR's office pending investigation and case filing.

The arrested suspects are now in the custody of CIDG and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002.