CITY OF CALAPAN – A marine product buyer was arrested after he was found in possession of a critically endangered anteater in Roxas town in Palawan province late Sunday night.
Supt. Imelda Tolentino, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police information officer, said acting on a report by a concerned citizen, authorities nabbed Demosthenes Ugto, 38, was nabbed in Barangay 4.
He was reportedly on his way to the Roxas town center from Barangay Salvacion aboard a motorcycle when officials intercepted him carrying the dead anteater or a Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis).
The suspect initially eluded Roxas and Palawan provincial police and Bantay Dagat members but was later arrested after a short chase. Authorities confiscated the dead anteater.
The Philippine pangolin, also known as Palawan pangolin and locally called “balintong,” is endemic to the country. It is hunted for its meat, skin, blood, and scales for food and traditional medicine, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. /ee