(Part 2)
Pursuant to Republic Act 9147, the DENR has created the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) to strengthen wildlife law enforcement in the country and combat wildlife trafficking.
Dubbed as an international environmental crime and one of the world’s largest organized crimes run by international criminal networks, wildlife trafficking refers to poaching or the illegal hunting or capture of wild animals for intended trade purposes, including smuggling the animal across country borders or zones to reach the consumer or buyer.
Wildlife trafficking can result to species extinction, biodiversity destruction or biodiversity loss and risks to global human health, the DENR said.
The deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs) will be deployed to Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Units (WTMUs) that would be based in seaports and airports to strictly implement all existing wildlife laws, rules and regulations, including international agreements.
Apprehensions by the units could result in criminal cases against violators, who could face imprisonment ranging from six months to 12 years as well as a fine of P10,000 to as much as P1 million, with the penalty depending on whether the wildlife involved is listed as critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened or other wildlife species.
According to the DENR, any individual or entity in possession of wildlife without the necessary permit is in violation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
To enhance their skills in wildlife protection, the WEOs underwent training on Basic Wildlife Identification and Handling so they can identify species correctly and handle them safely.
Wildlife identification involved using characteristics and techniques to identify different species of animals by observing physical appearance and using photodocumentation.
On the other hand, the practice of interaction with animals in their natural environment requires training and knowledge of the species one is dealing with. Proper handling techniques can reduce stress and prevent pain or injury to animals and the handler.
Aside from the 16 species of reptiles, Catanduanes has 64 other species of threatened flora and fauna included in the national list.
These include five mammalian species: the Southern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat, the endangered Giant Flying Fox, Philippine Warty Pig, Asian Palm Civet and Malayan Civet or Hamid.
Twenty-five birds endemic to Catanduanes are in the list, including the critically endangered Amethyst Fruit Dove and Philippine Hanging Parakeets.
The others are the Philippine Hawk Eagle, Grey-faced Buzzard, Philippine Serpent Eagle, Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher, Luzon Hornbill, Red-crested or Rough-crested Malkoha, Philippine Coucal, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Emerald Dove, White-eared Fruit Dove, Cream-breasted Fruit Dove, Luzon Bleeding-heart Pigeon, Balicassiao, Philippine Falconet, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Sooty Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Racquet Tail, Boobok Owl, Philippine Eagle Owl, and Coleto.
(to be continued)