1,500 turtles seized at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated some 1,500 live turtles at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Saturday night.

Customs officials said the turtles, which were brought into the country from Hong Kong, were placed in four pieces of luggage.

Customs NAIA district collector Mimel Talusan said the bags were abandoned by an unidentified Filipino passenger.

The turtles were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources widlife monitoring unit.

Talusan said trading of turtles is prohibited under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.