This preserved sea turtle is among the items confiscated by CIDG-7 from two individuals in Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City last June 30, 2021.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) said the recent confiscation of over P12 million worth of endangered species in Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City serves as a warning to those still involved in the illegal trade of these species.
On June 30, 2021, the CIDG-7 confiscated giant clams and shells, sea turtles, shark teeth, and red corals from Emerson Arco, 58, and Bryan Arco, 31. These items were reportedly to be exported to other countries.
“Ito’y warning doon sa mga tao na gumagawa ng ganitong klase ng negosyo na alam naman natin na bawal. So ngayon pa lang, may nahuli na tayo. ‘Wag na kayong mag attempt na mag negosyo na alam naman natin na bawal. Kayo ay mahuhuli rin pagdating ng panahon,” said Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, the chief of CIDG-7.
(This serves as a waring to those in this kind of business which we all know is illegal. We have already caught some doing this illegal act. So don’t attempt to get into a business that’s illegal because you will be caught when the time comes.)
The CIDG-7 already filed charges against the suspects for violation of Section 97 of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, Section 27 of Republic Act 9147 or The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and Section 2 of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 158.
As of this posting, these suspects are currently detained in CIDG-7 detention facility.
Dalogdog said they will continue their operation against these illegal activities as this is also one of CIDG-7’s mandate through their Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO).
“Kailangan natin i-preserve ito dahil kakaunti nalang ito tapos ginagawa pa nating negosyo. Mas lalong mamawalan tayo ng resources,” he said.
(We need to preserve these because they are endangered and yet we make it a business. This will further deplete our natural resources.)
Dalogdog said they intercepted this illegal activity on June 30, as they served a search warrant against these two individuals. The warrant was issued by Judge Jose Alfonso Gomos, the Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 54 in Lapu-Lapu City.
Based on their background check, the suspects allegedly buy these items for a cheaper price from a still unknown source and export these to other countries at a more expensive price. He said that shells were mostly purchased by hotels abroad as they reportedly use these for lamps.
Dalogdog said that they are now tracing what countries are actively purchasing these items. They are also working to determine the source of these items.
Dalogdog said that this is not the first time that they intercepted and arrested individuals engaged in this illegal activity. Last April, CIDG Negros Field Unit seized giant clams amounting to P200 million.
Dalogdog reminds the public that this kind of activity is prohibited in the country as we are serious in preserving our natural resources.
The seized items are still under the hold of CIDG-7. They are now coordinating with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to turn over seized items and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the three preserved sea turtles.
/bmjo