LGUs involved in black coral trade—Palace spokesman

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri holds an illegally-harvested black coral from an illegal shipment containing stuffed sea turtles and thousands of illegally harvested corals. AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Some local governments are involved in the illegal trade of black corals, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Environment Secretary Ramon Paje has asked Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to help identify local executives who tolerate the poaching of black corals.

“As you know the black corals are raised within 15 kilometers and this are considered municipal waters. Corals would require sunlight and so they are within our municipal waters,” Lacierda said during a news briefing at Malacañang.

“So obviously, there are some LGU’s which are involved in this illegal trade,” he added.