AUTHORITIES recovered about seven tons of fossilized true giant clams locally known as “taklobo” or “manlot” worth P28 million at Hacienda Juliana, Barangay Washington, Escalante City, Friday, August 2.
Manlot is considered a rare and endangered marine species. Most of its supplies can be found at seas in Escalante City, Sagay City and other parts of Northern Negros, according to an official of the Provincial Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The giant clams were found abandoned at the house of Jasper Bacaron, a report based from the Escalante City PNP said.
Their operatives led by City Police Chief Lt. Col Necerato Sabando together with BFAR led by acting Provincial Director Marian Jill Abeto and Escalante City Executive Assistant IV Rolen Cabus jointly inspected the area where the giant clams were found abandoned.
Bacaron voluntary turned over the manlot and told Cabus that the owner or buyer of the said endangered species was a certain Nexon Aurelio, from Barangay Vito, Sagay City.
The recovered endangered species were transported to BFAR 6 Provincial Fishery Office of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City for custody and safekeeping.
An official of Provincial BFAR confirmed Monday, August 05, that the endangered species were already turned-over to them.
They are studying how to properly dispose the items and that they are also studying the possibility of filing a case for violation of the Fisheries Code of the Philippines against the buyer.
The official also revealed that the fishermen in Escalante City were promised by the buyer that he will buy the giant clams at P7,500 per kilo.
He also revealed that although the giant clams were already fossilized they are also considering of bringing them back to the seas as they are considered as best breeding places of fish.
Manlot is known to produce precious pearls.