Led by Region 2 DENR Executive Director Antonio G. Principe, DENR personnel threw the pond turtles with varying sizes into the waters of Carague Lake in Enrile town, this province, which is less than one hour drive from here.

The five giant fruit bats were freed to the wilderness in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya by DENR field men led by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Roberto Apigo.

Through a radio message, Director Principe directed the five PENROs and 16 Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs) in the Cagayan Valley Region to meet immediately with all public and private market administrators and owners of eateries and restaurants to inform them about the DENR’s intensified effort to implement Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Principe said the involvement of the market administrators in the effective and efficient enforcement of the law is vital because they are in direct contact with people selling wildlife species.

He also instructed DENR field officers to come up with flyers and posters cautioning everyone about the drive and the penalties imposed on those defying the order.

The posters, he said, should be displayed in conspicious places such as public and private markets, barangay centers, provincial and municipal halls, schools and restaurants.

After the meeting with the PENROs and CENROs, the market administrators would be held liable in the event DENR raiding teams found wildlife species being sold in their markets, Principe said.

On orders of Principe, Apigo and his group posed as buyers and swooped down on the market in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya last Tuesday and seized the turtles and fruit bats from Violeta Saludo, a vendor. Also on the same day, Apigo’s team raided the house of Sario Lumanga of Banggot, Bambang, Nueva Viscaya and seized from him five fruit bats.

Saludo told the team that she had bought the big turtles for R100 each and the small ones for R50 each from an unidentifed hunter, who is from Bagiuo City. She purchased the fruit bats from another seller for R120 each.

Both wildlife species command relatively high prices in the market because these are not only being served as food but also as medicine for people who are anemic and asthmatic.

The action was in compliance with DENR Secretary Elisea S. Gozun’s memorandum directing all senior DENR field officials — from the regional executive directors to the regional technical directors for protected areas and wildlife services — to implement the agency’s program for the protection of endangered wildlife species.

Gozun’s move was spurred by reports and complaints that several restaurants all over the country are serving wildlife species as “pulutan” or delicacies.

As stated in Gozun’s directive, the penalties to be imposed on those found to have violated Republic Act No. 9147 include a fine of as high as R1 million and imprisonment of up to 12 years depending on the gravity of the offense. (LRP)