LOOK: Authorities in Central Visayas seized 226 pieces of endangered giant clams, also known as taklobo, in an entrapment operation in Borbon town in northern Cebu last October 12.
The shells weighed a total of 1,618 kilograms, and were valued at P24 million. Giant clams are considered the largest living mollusks. | Photo from Philippine Coast Guard – Central Visayas / Facebook
CEBU CITY, Philippines – More than 200 pieces of endangered giant clam shells worth around P30 million were seized in an entrapment operation against an illegal wildlife trader in Borbon town, northern Cebu last October 12.
Law enforcers in Central Visayas confirmed arresting a farmer, identified as Anecito Pogado, for reportedly selling giant clams, also locally known as taklobo.
Pogado was nabbed in his residence in Barangay Bongoyan, also in Borbon town.
Based on reports from the Philippine Coast Guard here (PCG-7) and the Lapu-Lapu City Field Unit of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), they confiscated around 200 pieces of giant clam shells from the suspect.
They weighed approximately a total of 2,000 kilograms and were valued at P30 million.
Police Capt. Nigel Sanoy of CIDG, in a statement, said the 46-year-old suspect reportedly had been selling the endangered giant clams to customers abroad at P15,000 per kilo.
Sanoy also said they had been monitoring Pogado’s illegal activities following an intelligence report from the 300th Air Intelligence Security Wing.
The suspect is now under the custody of CIDG’s Lapu-Lapu City Field Unit and will be facing charges for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Borbon is a fourth-class municipality located approximately 76 kilometers north of Cebu City.
Giant clams have been the subject of extensive poaching and commercial harvesting, according to the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Considered the largest living mollusks, the endangered species are highly sought after as a ‘high-value’ luxury food. Their shells are also being traded in the ornamental carving industry, the Wildlife Justice Commission added.
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