DENR-NBI filed case against businessman of illegal-traded Stalactites and other Wildlife

Posted by Mindanao Pagadian Frontline 

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Several  Stalactites confiscated by the raiding team

PAGADIAN CITY, Zambo del Sur (July 14, MPF-News) – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had testified in court during the first hearing recently regarding the case filed against the suspect of illegally traded stalactites and other prohibited wildlife products, DENR Offricials said.

DENR-IX Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable said Friday the filing of the case was the result of a buy-bust operation led by DENR Undersecretary Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr., Chairman of the Philippine Operation Group on Ivory and other wildlife (POGI),  was conducted by the DENR in coordination with the NBI, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) personnel.

275  pieces of different coral species which includes

precious and rare black & red corals, triton, nautilus

and several giant clam species

RD Adorable said the raid was successfully done which resulted in the seizure of illegally traded stalactites and other prohibited wildlife products and leading to the arrest of one suspect in this city last June 25, 2014.

RD Adorable also said that the said operation was initiated by virtue of a search warrant  dated June 24, 2014 issued by Judge Catherine C.  Fabian for violation of Republic Act 9072 or “Cave Act of 2001”.

The suspect was identified as Mr. Earl Frederick P. Galupo alias Epoy of Barangay Lumbia, Pagadian City.

RD Adorable added that the operation was a result of almost three months joint in-depth investigation and surveillance conducted by DENR and the NBI.

DENR-IX Regional Director lauded the efforts of the Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS) under Regional Technical Director Gil T. Ona for initiating the crucial steps to ensure the success of the operation.

He said in the investigations revealed that stalactites and corals are being traded on-line through www.sulit.com.ph now renamed as www.olx.ph where the suspect allegedly posted “natural stalactites for sale” signs in his facebook account to include photos of Hawksbill turtle carapace, a critically endangered wildlife which he intends to sell. 

           

2 pieces carapace frame of Hawksbill turtles

29 pcs Hawksbill scutes

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Allegedly, the suspect is part of a group with a large scale distribution network as evidenced by the presence of other warehouses in other parts of the country and business operations that reach  as far as Japan and other countries, he added.

The raiding team was able to confiscate from the suspect’s residence cum warehouse 30 pieces of stalactites, 2 pieces carapace frame of Hawksbill turtles, 29 pcs Hawksbill scutes,  275  pieces of different coral species which includes precious and rare black & red corals, triton, nautilus and several giant clam species.

The suspect was charged in court for violations of Republic Act 9072 also known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act and Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.