Wildlife smuggling
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has arrested five suspected wildlife smugglers, two of them foreigners, in impoverished Mindanao.
The operation was launched by PCG authorities following reports of the presence of a suspicious vessel off the coast of Davao Oriental.
Upon boarding the vessel, PCG authorities discovered undocumented wildlife, including 27 Mollucan Cockatoos.
The undocumented wildlife also included 21 Rainbow Lorikeets, 26 Red Lories and various marsupials, such as Northern and Common Spotted Cuscus.
The illegal trade of endangered species of flora and fauna is a major concern of government authorities across the world, including the Philippines.
“Marami ang nangangamba na baka nga maubos na sa atin ang mga natitira pang exotic plants and animals dahil sa patuloy na ismagling ng mga ito,” according to an environmentalist.
Among the country’s endangered fauna are the Tamaraw, which is found omly in the island of Mindoro, and the Philippine monkey-eating eagle.
The alleged wildlife smugglers – two Indonesians and three Filipinos, who were found on board the vessel – were taken to the nearest fishport.
Later. the suspects were turned over to the local police for further investigation.
The confiscated wildlife, on the other hand, has been transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for safekeeping.
We commend the PCG for going after all those involved in the illegal trade of wildlife in this Southeast Asian nation.
