Illegal wildlife trade persists in Sarangani (original) (raw)

INQUIRER FILES

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Authorities have launched a manhunt for individuals believed to be behind the illegal wildlife trade following the seizure of 53 exotic and native birds during a raid in Sarangani province last week.

Major Julius Vallejo, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Sarangani, said investigators are pursuing leads to identify those responsible for the illegal wildlife operation uncovered in Alabel town, the provincial capital located about 20 minutes from this city.

The raid was conducted by CIDG-Sarangani and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) of Glan under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Region 12 in Purok Silangan, Barangay Maribulan, after authorities received verified intelligence reports about the activity.

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Vallejo said several suspects managed to escape before the raiding team arrived.

Authorities found assorted wildlife species kept in wooden transport crates and wire cages, apparently prepared for transport and distribution.

READ: Mother, calf dugongs seen; pregnant dugong found dead in Sarangani Bay

Forester Franklin Lebrilla, chief of Cenro-Glan, said the operation led to the recovery of 14 Eclectus parrots, 18 black-capped lories, 11 Victoria or western crowned pigeons, three wallabies—one of which was already dead—three Rufous hornbills, two sulphur-crested cockatoos, one black lory and a white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).

Facing charges

Lebrilla said those responsible would face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

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READ: Cops seize 25 endangered bird species in Sarangani

The white-bellied sea eagle, classified as a vulnerable species under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, was turned over to the Sarangani Environmental Conservation and Protection Center for veterinary assessment after it was found weak during the raid.

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Dr. Roy Mejorada, senior ecosystem management specialist of the Protected Area Management Office–Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, said on Sunday that the eagle was recovering and had resumed feeding by Saturday noon.

The Rufous hornbill, meanwhile, is an endemic Philippine species listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Mejorada noted that the Eclectus parrot, black-capped lory, western or Victoria crowned pigeon, wallaby, sulphur-crested cockatoo and black lory are exotic species not native to the Philippines.

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Authorities said the seizure highlights the continuing presence of illegal wildlife trafficking in Sarangani and nearby General Santos City, where many confiscated exotic birds over the years have originated from Indonesia. /cb