National Military Police commander Sao Sokha warned his officers and their family members on Thursday against involving themselves in logging regardless of its legality.

Sokha, who also heads the National Committee for Prevention and Crackdown on Natural Resource Crimes, made the warning during a visit to oversee clampdowns on forestry crimes in Ratanakkiri province.

National Military Police and committee spokesman Eng Hy told The Post that Sokha was going to pursue his mission in Stung Treng province after leading the same operations in Tbong Khmum, Kratie, Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri provinces between Monday and Thursday.

Hy quoted Sokha as telling the officers to remain vigilant and take immediate action against such crimes.

He also urged Forestry Administration officials to ensure logging companies that had received economic land concessions abided by terms and conditions stipulated in their contracts.

“All kinds of equipment used solely for logging purposes must be destroyed. Any equipment that can serve other purposes should be maintained. Confiscated timber also needs to be retained pending a final decision from senior authorities,” he said.

Din Khany, the provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, claimed that illegal logging in Ratanakkiri continues, albeit on a much smaller scale following a series of high-profile crackdowns.

Khany said he had not received any information regarding the closure of logging companies in Ratanakkiri as he had seen in Mondulkiri province.

He said illegal logging in both provinces were just as rampant, though Mondulkiri authorities were known to enforce the laws more strictly.

“The laws should be implemented equally across the country, not just in Mondulkiri province. Ratanakkiri provincial authorities have been very inactive,” he said.