AN ESTIMATED P36 million worth of giant clam shells has been seized by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG 7) in Barangay Tapilon, Daanbantayan town, in Cebu province.
Caught were 12 individuals involved in the unlawful sale of clams, including Liloan-based businesswoman Carla Czarina Cañazares Camacho, 41. The CIDG operatives confiscated 133 large shells that weighed 3,000 kilos.
Personnel from the 300th Air Intelligence Security Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7’s Fishery Law Enforcement Group and the Philippine Coast Guard also joined in the operation.
Camacho allegedly sold a kilo of giant clam shells at P12,000.
Aside from Camacho, the CIDG 7 also arrested Camacho’s companions Caryl Yanong, Gilbert Monterde Jr., Genesis Diamos, Federick Beloria, Cham Diamos, Freddie Beloria, Esteban Natural Jr., Elier Cañete, Alex Baslan, Clodualdo Petere Jr., and Salvador Camino Jr. They will be charged for violating Republic Act (RA) 8550, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 as amended by RA 10654.