Turtle eggs seized in Zamboanga City market, vendor nabbed

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Maritime police operatives arrested a 44-year-old suspect for selling turtle eggs at the Zamboanga City Public Market Sunday morning.

Police Captain Leah May Alameda, Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station (ZCMARPSTA) chief, said her team responded to a report from a concerned citizen regarding the illicit trade in Magay Zone IV around 10:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, the team confirmed the ongoing sale and caught the suspect in the act of offering turtle eggs to buyers.

Authorities recovered and confiscated 60 pieces of turtle eggs during the inspection and inventory. 

The suspect, along with the seized evidence, was immediately brought to the ZCMARPSTA headquarters for documentation and disposition in coordination with representatives from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office IX.

Charges are being prepared against the suspect for violation of Section 27(e) (Trading of Wildlife) under Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

Alameda stressed that ZCMARPSTA continues to intensify its campaign against illegal wildlife trade to safeguard natural resources and protect the environment from prohibited activities. /gsg