The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Soccsksargen (DENR-12) has filed charges against the two men in the viral video where they are seen holding and moving tarsiers in South Cotabato. 

DENR-12 filed the charges against Ryan Parreño and Sammy Estrebilla for violation of the Wildlife Act of 2001 (RA 9147) in relation to the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (RA 11038) on April 11, 2024.

“Our evaluation disclosed that a crime has been committed under the stated provisions of RA 9147. The filing of the case against the violators is an action taken so that the citizens would not imitate the disturbing same acts,” DENR-12 Regional Executive Director, Atty. Felix Alicer, said.

The two claimed earlier that they moved the tarsiers to another area as the tarsiers were nearly hit by their bolo while they were cutting tall grass at their farm.

One of them has apologized but stood by their decision to transfer the tarsiers.

“Hapit namo sila mahagbasan, hapit sila maigo sa sundang. Ana ko nga ‘mig, kuhaon na lang nato na, i-transfer nato sa ubang area.’ Mao to gikuha namo siya, wala kaabot og half hour, na-transfer na siya,” Parreño said.

DENR-12 said the Philippine tarsiers are classified as Other Threatened Species (OTS).

“I am calling on the public to help the DENR in protecting and preserving this wildlife species and our environment,” Alicer said.