Endangered birds: Peddlers can be freed if case isn’t filed today

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has until today to file charges against the two men arrested for selling endangered birds otherwise authorities would be forced to release the suspects.

Loy Madrigal of the Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Task Force said DENR was still preparing the affidavits to support the complaint yesterday. The reglamentary period for the filing of the complaint will lapse today.

“I hope ma-file na ni nato karon or mapugos ta nga buhian sila,” Madrigal said.

Alberto Primor and Stephen Ng-Sy were arrested in Talisay City last week for selling two Philippine hawk eagles, one serpent eagle; six cockatoos and an amethyst brown dove.

If proven guilty, they will face 15 years in jail and may be fined up to P1.5 million for violating the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

They are detained at the Capitol’s holding cell since Friday and would be turned over to the court once a formal case against them is filed.

Madrigal disclosed that one of the two hawks died Monday due to stress most likely from the long travel from Mindanao.

“Stressed sa byahe. But the rest maayo man. Weak ang uban. Pero amo na gigaan og tambal,” Madrigal said.

The rest of the birds will be turned over to DENR for safekeeping and so they will receive proper care.

Madrigal said that based on their investigation, the birds may have come from Palawan and moved to Mindanao before they were brought to Cebu.

From the port, the traders would reportedly proceed to the Cebu Zoo where no one would locate them before they hit the streets to sell the birds.

The Philippine hawk can be sold at P10,000 and up to P13,000.

Madrigal warned that those who buy endangered birds can also face charges.

In line with this, Madrigal called on shipping lines to be strict in inspecting cargo that are declared ‘livestock’.

“Maoy usa pahugtan sa mga barko. Before sila mohatag og permit, tan-awon unsay karga basin ingun nga ‘manok ni’ but si Kingkong ang sud,” she said.

She said they already have the names of the “main guys” in the case. —/JMO (FREEMAN)