Quezon farmer held for illegal possession of ‘threatened’ birds

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — A farmer is facing charges for illegally possessing three threatened birds in Real town in Quezon province.

Three threatened white-eared brown dove (Phapitreron leucotis), locally known as “kulo-kulo,” were confiscated from farmer Michael on Monday, according to a report from the Quezon police on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

READ: Illegal wildlife trader nabbed in Quezon

Authorities and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) operatives, raided at 2:28 p.m. the residence of Michael, 37, in Barangay Tagumpay and found the three birds, without permits from the DENR.

The white-eared brown dove is listed under the Updated List of Threatened Philippine Flora and Fauna under Department Administrative Order 2019-09.

Possession of these birds without proper government authorization makes a person liable for violations of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act.

The suspect has been detained as criminal charges were being readied.

The birds are in the custody of the local DENR office and will soon be released back into the wild.