A wildlife poacher was arrested Thursday in Barangay Bono-bono in Bataraza town after 129 heads of Palawan talking mynah or “kiyaw” were recovered from his possession.
Jovic Fabello, the spokesperson of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), told Palawan News on Friday that the joint enforcement operation that arrested suspect Genesis Palasigue was conducted by the Palawan PNP Intelligence Group, PCSD Regulation and Enforcement Division and Bantay Palawan of the provincial government.
“For sure meron ‘yang nagmamanman o meron ‘yang tips at meron ‘yang mga pagpa-planong ginawa [before the apprehension]. Joint na elements na ito ng PCSD Enforcement Team at iba pa nating mga kasamahan sa enforcement for sure base na din ‘yan sa mga dating information. [Kasama na ‘yong] mga dati at mga bagong information kaya nila nahuli ‘yong tao na ‘yon,” Fabello said.
The threatened bird species will be released back to the wild after undergoing quarantine at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC).
“Malakas naman [ang mga ibon] kasi mukhang bagong huli pa,” he said.
Palasigue will be charged for violating Republic Act 9147 or the Philippine Wildlife Act.
The suspect was able to evade arrest in 2014 after 11 heads of Palawan talking mynah and two heads of leopard cats were seized from his possession, records of the PCSDS said.
“Hindi ko lang sigurado kung nakawala ‘yan noong nakaraan, parang hindi siya naabutan sa area. Pero this time nahuli na rin siya. Kung na-inquest na [siya], hindi ko lang alam kung puwede na ‘yang i-commit sa police kasi holiday ngayon. Hindi ko lang alam ang ruling kung papaano, pero for sure itu-turn over namin ‘yan sa police,” Fabello said.
Meanwhile, Fabello reminded the public to immediately report to authorities the wildlife poachers they will see or encounter catching wildlife species in their areas.
“I-report kaagad sa aming opisina. Meron naman kaming mga district offices sa Quezon, Rizal, Brooke’s Point, sa Narra. So puwede rin nilang i-report sa DENR or sa ibang mga ahensya, but mas maganda kung sa amin talaga i-report kaagad para mabigyan kaagad ng sapat na response,” he said.
The public may also report any illegal wildlife activities using the PCSDS Enforcement Hotlines at 0935-1162-336 and 0948-9372-200.
