Cebu biology graduates insist killing endangered birds necessary

Endangered Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis) also known as “Siloy.” CDN/TONEE DESPOJO

CEBU CITY, Philippines–Biology graduates of Cebu Normal University (CNU) on Tuesday insisted that killing the Black Shama birds was necessary to understand the diet of the endangered bird species.

At a clarificatory hearing in the office of Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro, Ninokay L. Beceril, Elrich D. Sydney Barinque and Ephem Jun A. Fernandez showed records that they had informed the Central Cebu Protected Landscape-Protected Management Board (CCPL-PAMB) of their research methodology.

The three, together with their thesis advisers Edward Laurence L. Opena, Richard B. Parilla, Nimfa R. Pansit, Joezen D. Corrales and Elena Lozano, were charged with violation of Section 27(a) of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. The advisers are professors in CNU except for Parilla who served as their research mentor from the University of San Carlos.

Their thesis “Gut content composition of Cebu Black Shama” was submitted to the biology department of CNU as a thesis requirement for their graduation last March 2014.

But the Protected Area Wildlife Division said the scientific research permit issued on January 15 did not sanction killing the birds. Under the permit’s terms, the birds were supposed to be set free after use in the study.

At the same time, records of the students’ meeting with officials of the CCPL-PAMB on October 9, 2013 showed that the conservation officials “expressed concern” about the research’s methodology.

“Many members of the board expressed concern when they knew that nine birds or three per study site will be slaughtered in this study,” the minutes of the October 9 meeting reads.

An Assistant Protected Area Superintendent even warned the students of the “possible reaction from the residents and non-government organization conservation groups” that their study might create.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the respondents came with their lawyers, who were retained in their personal capacity. The state-run university cannot represent the faculty in this legal battle, said Bibiana Isok, CNU vice president for academic affairs in a separate interview.

During the closed-door hearing, Prosecutor Castro said the students explained that they were issued an amended Wildlife Gratuitous Permit that allowed them to kill the birds for research.

“They (respondents) will have to submit additional evidence to support their claim,” Castro said.

The respondents were given until Friday to submit their counter affidavits. Protected Areas and Wildlife Division head Ariel Rica and other officials will be asked to comment on the student’s allegation that their research methodology was explained during the PAMB meeting before a gratuitous permit was issued to them.

The penalty, if parties are found guilty, is imprisonment of four years and one day to six years, or a fine of P50,000 to P500,000, or both at the discretion of the court.

The biology graduates are all now working in the private sector. By Marian Z. Codilla, Cebu Daily News

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