A man in M’lang, Cotabato was arrested for allegedly selling three ducks online, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12).

DENR-12 said the suspect was arrested in an entrapment operation carried out by personnel of DENR-12 PENRO Cotabato, CENRO Matalam, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 12 (RACU-120), and M’lang Municipal Police Station along the national highway in Purok Maharlika, Barangay Bagontapay on October 23, 2025.

The operation was launched after a student reported a Facebook Marketplace post advertising the sale of Philippine ducks for P1,800 each.

The post reportedly included a photo of the species and a caption that says: “Try lang kung may gusto sa wild duck or dakit may available pa,” encouraging interested buyers.

“The Philippine duck, a species endemic to the Philippines, is listed as “Vulnerable” under DAO 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and Their Categories,” DENR-12 said.

DENR-12 said under Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), illegal trading, collection, or possession of wildlife and their by-products is punishable by imprisonment of six months and one day to one year and/or fines ranging from P1,000 to P100,000.

The suspect is facing charges for violation of RA 9147 in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175).