11 persons nabbed with P48-M giant clams

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Police intercepted some P48 million worth of giant clams, locally known as “taklubo” weighing 8,000 kilograms, and arrested 11 persons at a border control checkpoint in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, December 3. The confiscated clams are turned over to BFAR-Northern Mindanao for proper disposition. (Photo by PJ Orias)
CAGAYAN DE ORO. Police intercepted some P48 million worth of giant clams, locally known as “taklubo” weighing 8,000 kilograms, and arrested 11 persons at a border control checkpoint in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, December 3. The confiscated clams are turned over to BFAR-Northern Mindanao for proper disposition. (Photo by PJ Orias)

AUTHORITIES have arrested 11 persons who attempted to transport P48 million worth of giant clams, locally known as “taklubo”, at a checkpoint in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, Tuesday dawn, December 3.

Suspects were identified as Christopher Pornia, 28, resident of Poblacion, Quezon, Bukidnon; Ricky Sunogan, 50, and Peterson Suan, 55, both residents of Manticao, Misamis Oriental; Larry Salvan, 45, of Opol, Misamis Oriental; and Diosdado Abellana, 29, of Barangay Mambuaya, Cagayan de Oro.

Also, Arnel Sanchez, 49, of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; Ricky Allones, 35, and Ramil Villagracia, 19, both residents of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Ronel Pilarca, 30, of Valencia, Bukidnon; and Jed Ragmac, 29, and Michael Paler, 24, both from Initao town.

The suspects were onboard a wing van when flagged down at a boarder control checkpoint after police noticed that the driver was not using his seat belt.

But during inspection, authorities discovered giant clams weighing 8,000 kilograms inside the vehicle.

Police Major Alexy Sonido, commander of Cocpo’s City Mobile Force Unit (CMFU), said the clams were allegedly from Barangay Mambuaya and will be shipped to Misamis Oriental where a possible buyer awaits.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Northern Mindanao director Allan Poquito said it is illegal to gather, possess, and transport giant clams, which are already classified as endangered species.

Under the Philippine Fisheries Code, offenders will face a fine equivalent to five times the value of the species or P500,000 to P5 million whichever is higher, and forfeiture of the species.

Upon conviction, the offender shall be punished by imprisonment of 12 years to 20 years and a fine equivalent to twice the administrative fine, forfeiture of the species and the cancellation of fishing permit.

Poquito said the clams can be sold at P20,000 to P30,000 per kilo and are reportedly used in making jewelry, cosmetic products, and even medicines.

“Pero dili ko mutuo ana kay wala paman gyud manufacturing nga ga-declare nga gamiton na ang giant clams sa ilang produkto (But I don’t believe that since there is no manufacturing (company) who has declared using giant clams in their products),” he added.

“Endangered siya under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) so bawal gyud kuhaon (removal is prohibited). We can give permit only for research purposes pero dili gyud pwede kuhaon, tan-awon lang (but it should not be removed, only observed),” he added.

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