Negros Occidental maritime cops seize 7,000 kilos of endangered fossilized and fresh giant clams

BACOLOD CITY –The maritime police in southern Negros Occidental seized 7,000 kilos of endangered fossilized and fresh clams, locally known as Taclobo, in Sitio Ondol Pasil, Barangay Cayhagan, Sipalay City on Tuesday, October 26.

Seized were P490,000 worth of Taclobos identified as endangered species, a violation of section 102 of Republic Act 10654 that bans the fishing and taking of rare, threatened, or endangered species.

According to Major Don Archie Suspeñe, they received a report from a concerned citizen that giant clams were being collected in Barangay Cayhagan.

On arriving in the area, the maritime police saw the assorted fossilized and fresh clams in plain view.

Two suspects and the confiscated clams were brought to the Fourth Special Operations Units’  headquarters in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, for documentation and proper disposition prior to filing criminal and administrative charges against the suspects.

Dave Albao, Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation executive director, said endangered clams have been disappearing from the waters of southern Negros.