6 wildlife hunters arrested in Pampanga

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Six persons were arrested for illegal hunting of migratory birds in Candaba, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Efren David Jr., Candaba police chief, said Jaime Buenaventura, Pablo Cunanan, Jose Carlo Dizon, Michael Gamos Vicente Pangan and Rodrigo Canlas, all residents of Barangay San Joaquin in Sta. Ana town, were caught hunting birds in Barangay Paligui using air rifles.

David said four air rifles, three carbon dioxide tanks, air gun pellets and two dead egrets were recovered from the suspects.

“Killing and destroying wildlife species is illegal and punishable by law. We will not tolerate this incident... to protect our migratory birds and other wildlife species since they are vital components of our environment,” Laudemir Salac, head of the provincial environment and natural resources office, said.

Charges for violation of the Wildlife Resources and Conservation and Protection Act and Provincial Ordinance 756 in relation to Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act of 2018 are being readied against the suspects.