METROBRIEFS

Endangered animals rescued in Manila

Perhaps now, they’ll know what it feels like to be caged. Three men selling endangered animals were arrested on Wednesday evening after they were caught in an entrapment operation organized by the Manila Police District’s  Intelligence Division. Luz Estacio, 56; and his cohorts James Ferolino, 29; and Jake Vargas, 28; were arrested in Estacio’s house in Tondo, Manila. Found inside were a serpent eagle, 17 turtles and 69 Mynah birds. In a report, intelligence division chief Supt. Ernesto Fojas Jr. said that after his office received a tip about the sale of endangered wildlife, a policeman went to Estacio’s house and posed as a buyer. Policemen arrested Estacio after he sold the policeman a mynah bird for P1,500. Jaymee T. Gamil

Couple in “crush videos’’ arraigned

The couple accused of profiting from selling “crush” videos which featured small animals being tortured to death pleaded not guilty during their arraignment before San Fernando, La Union Regional Trial Court Judge Alpino Florendo Thursday. Vicente and Dorma Ridon denied that they paid three girls to kill puppies, rabbits and other small animals, took videos of the gruesome scenes and then sold the films online. The Ridons were arrested on Aug. 2 after a year-long manhunt for violating the antichild abuse law and animal welfare act. They were set free after they posted bail of P104,000. According to animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the girls were first hired as babysitters but the couple later paid them to dress up in sexy attires while torturing the animals to death. Prosecutor Irene Corpuz asked the court to subpoena a private complainant whom she refused to identify because her testimony would involve the minors cited in the charges filed against the Ridons. Trial was set on Sept. 2. The Inquirer learned from a court official that the couple had trouble getting a lawyer because their former counsel withdrew from the case. Charles Keith, Inquirer Northern Luzon