Two counter action operations (CAO) against the illegal harvesting and trading of giant “taklobo” shells were carried out by police and military authorities in cooperation with the local government units of Dumaran and Narra towns recently.
A spot report from operatives of the Naval Forces West (NFW) said an estimated 500 kilos (70 pieces) of empty giant clam shells were seized on March 4 in Barangay Cayapas, Dumaran, in a joint operation led by vice mayor Medwin Pablico with Bantay Dagat-Dumaran, Coast Guard COP Dumaran, and Sta. Teresita PNP substation.
Based on the report, the seized empty shells have an estimated value of P1 million. They were reportedly about to be sold for P2,000 per kilo to a certain Nolie Palay, a resident of Barangay Tumarbong, Roxas.
On March 9, another CAO was made by joint law enforcement teams of Bantay Palawan Task Force-South, S2, Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 and the NFW operatives in Zone 4, Brgy. Princess Urduja, Narra.
They were able to seize an estimated 600 kilos of empty shells with an estimated value of P1.2 million at the house of a certain Karding Reganit in the said barangay. Their buyer was identified as Jerome Diaz, also a resident of Princess Urduja.
