'Taklobo' worth P25 million seized in Oslob

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 1,686 kilos of fossilized giant clams with an estimated market value of P25.29 million were seized in Oslob, Cebu on Friday.

The clams, locally known as taklobo, were found in the possession of Jagger Vitorillo, 41, who was arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Barangay Poblacion at around 5 p.m.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said Vitorillo transacted with a policeman posing as a buyer for an P201,000 worth of the threatened species.

Vitorillo yielded at least 89 clams weighing 1,686 kilos which the suspect is selling at P15,000 per kilo.

“Our collaboration with the other government agencies and law enforcement units serves as our serious commitment to stop, if not, eradicate such illegal activities,” he said in a statement.

Vitorillo is being held on charges of violation of Republic 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

It may be recalled that authorities also seized at least 735 pieces of rare helmet shells, also known as budyong, in Bantayan back in October this year.

The Maritime Law Enforcement Team, Bantay Dagat and the Municipal Agriculturist-Fisheries Office have jointly conducted an operation in Sitio Tabunok, Barangay Lipayran, Bantayan where the helmet shells considered as endangered species were confiscated.

With an estimated amount of P365,000, the shells were put inside 48 sacks and were reportedly abandoned in the seashore.

The items will be turned over by the Maritime Police to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office in Cebu City.

Republic Act (RA) 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by RA 10654 on the Fishing or Taking of Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species provides that offenders shall be penalized with administrative fines, ranging from P500,000 to P5 million and/or upon conviction by a court of law, punished by imprisonment of 12 to 20 years plus twice the administrative fine.

Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 158 prohibits the gathering, taking, collecting, selling, transporting, or possessing for sale of mollusks to the genus triton or Charonia and Cassis.

Bantayan Mayor Arthur Despi then warned violators that authorities will go after them if they continue doing illegal activities. – Philippine Star News Service, JMD (FREEMAN)