39 sacks of endangered trumpet shells seized in Cebu
CEBU CITY—The Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (CPAIFTF) confiscated 39 sacks of trumpet shells, locally known as “tambuli,” which are considered endangered species.
The shells, intended for export to be used for lamps and high-end house decor, were bound for delivery to a shell craft shop in Mandaue City.
The joint operation was conducted together with the Bantay Dagat of San Remegio and Daanbantayan towns at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday at New Port, Daanbantayan, 129.1 kilometers from this city.
In an initial inventory at the Daanbantayan police station, an Isuzu Elf truck with plate number GXS-644 contained at least 27 sacks of the shells while the other 12 sacks were in a pump boat.
Loy Madrigal, CPAIFTF head, told the Inquirer that nine crew members of the pump boat were unloading the shells on the truck when they intercepted them.
Madrigal said the shipment had been under surveillance since last week and they were able to intercept it only on Sunday night.
The owner of the pump boat, identified as Antonio Batahoy, is also the owner of the shell craft shop in Barangay (village) Pagsabungan, Mandaue City, according to Madrigal.
The eight crew members were identified as Alison Batahoy, Daniel Sakayan, Leny Cailan, Alteo Rodrigo, Joseph Ornopia, Edgar Sacayan, Esco Rosauro and Alteo Rodrigo Jr.
The ninth crew member, Madrigal said, is a 16-year-old minor. All of them are from Esperanza town, Masbate province.
They will be brought to the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday for inquest proceedings.
They are facing charges of violating Section 97 of Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, which bans unlawful fishing or the taking of rare, threatened or endangered species.
Madrigal said they would also file the same charges against the owner, Batahoy, who has not shown up since the confiscation.
Madrigal said they were also looking at what charges would be filed against the owner for employing a minor.
All the crew members are in the custody of Daanbantayan police.
