Definition of Offense
- The unlawful cutting, gathering, removal, or smuggling constitutes the crime of qualified theft.
- Qualified theft is as defined in Articles 308, 309, and 310 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.
Liability of Corporations and Officers
- If the offender is a corporation, firm, partnership, or association, the guilty officer(s) are held liable.
- In case of alien officers found guilty, deportation follows the imposed penalty without additional proceedings by the Commission on Immigration and Deportation.
Penal Provisions
- Penal consequences follow those prescribed for qualified theft under the Revised Penal Code.
- Deportation sanctions are an added penalty for alien officers concerned.
Repeal of Inconsistent Laws
- Any laws, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this decree are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The decree takes effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Underlying Principles
- The decree reflects the importance of public forests and reserves as vital natural resources.
- It underscores the duty of citizens to protect these resources from illegal logging and destruction.
- Emphasizes conservation to preserve the patrimony of the country for present and future generations.