Sarangani cops confiscated 25 endangered bird species

KORONADAL CITY (October 1) – A man was caught on Monday for illegally trafficking 25 endangered bird species by alert police officers stationed at a checkpoint in Maasim, Sarangani province, according to authorities.

According to Col. Jerone Orville Panganiban, acting provincial director of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, a Mitsubishi Montero Sport was intercepted by personnel from the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) and the Maasim Municipal Police Station during a routine checkpoint operation in Sitio Seguil, Barangay Tinoto.

The driver, known as ‘Junior,’ 34, a Digos City native, was unable to show documents allowing him to transport endangered wildlife.

According to Panganiban, the police confirmed with Forest Protection Officer (FPO) Jalal Pantao of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that the suspect did not have a transport authorization.

Kiamba’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) identified 25 hornbills, including six Mindanao hornbills and 19 Rufous hornbills. According to Panganiban, the DENR later confirmed that these are Mindanao Writhed hornbills and Southern Rufous hornbills.

The hornbills were immediately transported and handed over to the DENR-12 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center for documentation and safety.

According to Panganiban, CENRO Kiamba is prepared to press charges against the apprehended individual for breaching Republic Act 9147, better known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

“The Sarangani Police Provincial Office, in close coordination with DENR, reiterates its commitment to protecting the environment and upholding wildlife laws to preserve biodiversity in the region,” Panganiban told reporters.