Environment Secretary Ramon Paje. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines—Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje on Tuesday warned the public not to buy wild animals from just anybody, especially persons claiming to be linked to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Paje issued the warning following the arrest early this month of a man who has offered to sell online a juvenile serpent eagle. The suspect, Cardell Mariano, claimed he is an employee of the DENR and that he has a permit to sell.
But Paje said the DENR does not issue a permit for the sale of a serpent eagle, considered an endangered species because of its dwindling population that has resulted from the destruction of its habitat.
The Philippine serpent eagle (spilornis holospilus) is usually found in forest clearings and open woodlands of Luzon and Mindanao. It is distinguished from other species of serpent eagles by distinct spots on its underparts and wings.
In a statement, Paje said, “Those who engage in illegal trade of wildlife, especially those threatened or endangered, could face charges punishable by imprisonment or fine. This applies to everyone, even DENR employees, more so because we are a regulatory agency that oversees the implementation of the country’s wildlife law.”
He stressed that the agency would not condone any illegal wildlife activity and would take strong action against unscrupulous traders.
Agents of the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade, made up of deputized DENR personnel and policemen, arrested Macario in an entrapment operation in Cavite for selling a juvenile serpent eagle through the social networking site Facebook for P5,000. He posted a photo of the eagle.
The eagle was rescued and turned over to the DENR Wildlife Rescue Center in Cavite for rehabilitation while Macario was detained and charged with violation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Macario, who is neither connected with, nor an employee of the DENR, could be imprisoned for two years and fined P200,000 once convicted for the crime.
The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act punishes the illegal trade of endangered species with a P200,000 fine and a two-year jail term.
Killing an endangered animal carries stiffer penalties of six years of imprisonment and a P500,000 fine.