P50M worth of endangered giant clam shells confiscated in Negros Oriental

Authorities confiscated P50 million worth of endangered giant clam shells in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental on Friday, the Philippine National Police said.

The endangered items were found in Barangay Pagatban.

A suspect identified as Ricarido Santiana Dela Cruz Jr. was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by personnel of the Crime Investigation and Detection Group RFU 7 Negros Oriental PFU, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bayawan City Police Station, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) and 1ST Provincial Mobile Force Company, NOPPO.

Dela Cruz was allegedly found to be selling 1,000 kg of giant clam shells (taklobo) worth P5 million to a police decoy.

Recovered from the suspect were the entrapment money; 1,000 kg of taklobo which were part of the total inventory of 10,000 more or less kilos of taklobo valued at P50 million; one cal. 45 Colt pistol; one magazine for cal. 45 pistol; and seven live ammunition for a cal. 45 pistol.

"This accomplishment ensures that the sustainable conservation and protection of fishery and aquatic resources law is being implemented by our local authorities", PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said.

Authorities said Yan Hu Liang alias Sunny owns the endangered giant clam shells estimated to have an international market value of P918 million. He is still at large.

Dela Cruz and Yan Hu Liang will face charges of violating Republic Act 8550 as amended by Republic Act 10654 (Fisheries Code of the Philippines in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order 208 "Conservation or rare, threathened and endangered fishery species"), the PNP said.

Dela Cruz is currently detained at the Bayawan City Police Station. —KG, GMA News