Men nabbed for illegal wildlife trade

The Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) rescued a common snapping turtle, a red-bellied piranha, and a red-shoulder macaw in an entrapment operation. Two illegal sellers were arrested in the separate raid, according to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras.”

Authorities warned that selling aquatic animals such as piranha is strictly prohibited.

“Yung ating po piranha ay pinagbabawal under Republic Act 10654 under Section 102. Ang mga piranha po ay pinangangambahan na makapunta sa ating katubigan, at patayin yung ating other aquatic animals natin,” Police Major Robert Alvin Gutierrez, chief of the northern National Capital Region Maritime Police Station, said.

The piranhas have been turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The authorities were also able to save some common snapping turtles during the operation.

“Yung ating snapping turtles di naman siya considered na endangered, however, all non-native and native reptiles under the law, kailangan kumuha sila ng permit,” Gutierrez.

“Matagal ko na po kasing alaga yun, years na. Nasaktuhan nung ayaw ko na sila sa bahay kesa kung saan mapunta inano (binenta) ko na lang,” the suspect said.

Meanwhile, in Quezon City, a red-shoulder macaw was rescued by the authorities from the suspect who had a transaction with an undercover police officer.

The suspect, who is a college student, said he will be using the money to pay for his tuition.

“Hindi ko po alam na bawal, may papel ako na hawak kaso hindi valid,” he said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News