4 wildlife poachers nabbed

POACHED WILDLIFE. DENR Central Luzon workers sort more than 6,000 Wrinkle-lipped bats worth over P90,000 seized during a recent anti-poaching operation in the protected area of Biak-na-Bato National Park in Bulacan province. (DENR Central Luzon)
POACHED WILDLIFE. DENR Central Luzon workers sort more than 6,000 Wrinkle-lipped bats worth over P90,000 seized during a recent anti-poaching operation in the protected area of Biak-na-Bato National Park in Bulacan province. (DENR Central Luzon)

FOUR suspected wildlife poachers were arrested recently by the joint operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) based in Baliwag town in the protected area of Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBNP).

The operation was joined by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of San Miguel town and the National Anti-illegal Logging Task Force.

DENR-Central Luzon executive director Paquito Moreno Jr. reported that more than 6,000 Wrinkle-lipped bats (Chaerephon plicatus) worth over P90,000 were seized during the operations from Rolando Santiago, 40; Reynante Donito Gonzales, 44; Rejie Mangahas, 28; and Ronald Santiago, 39, all residents of Barangay Biak-na-Bato in San Miguel town.

"Hunting, destroying, disturbing or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom without permit from the Protected Area Management Board (Pamb) are strictly prohibited inside the protected area," Moreno said.

He said wrinkled-lipped bats are classified as vulnerable species under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories.

The DENR has already filed criminal charges against the suspects for violating Section 20 (a) of the Republic Act (RA) 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Area System (Nipas) law as amended by RA 11038 or the Expanded Nipas law.

Section 21 of RA 7586 imposes a penalty of a maximum of P500,000 fine, exclusive of the damage value of wildlife, and a maximum of six years imprisonment.

The dead bats were immediately buried to prevent potential spread of infection and zoonotic disease and some 100 alive bats were released back into the wild.

The DENR warned the public that any persons found involved in illegal wildlife trade and destruction of protected areas shall be penalized under existing environmental laws, rules and regulations.

The more than 2,000-ha historic BNBNP was established by former President Manuel Quezon through Proclamation 223 in November 1937.

DENR study shows that the park is home to 177 animal species, including endemic species like Kalaw or Philippine hornbill, Spotted wild boar, Philippine deer, Giant cloud rats, Philippine macaque, monitor lizards, and swiftlets.

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