PCG seizes P160M worth of endangered clams in Palawan

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard confiscated P160 million worth of endangered giant clam shells in Roxas, Palawan.

According to the PCG, the operation took place in Barangay VI, Johnson Island last March 3. The 324 seized clams weighed 80 tons, it added.

The agency reminded that harvesting endangered giant clams locally known as "taklobo" is prohibited under Republic Act No. 10654 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Violators could be penalized with an administrative fine of up to P3 million and imprisonment for eight years, according to PCG.

Aside from the endangered clams, authorities discovered 124 pieces of illegally-cut mangrove trees in the area. They were also confiscated in relation to Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.—Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA News