Operatives nab anew 84 mynahs in Rizal

Cheryl A. Galili
The Palawan Times

THE COMBINED team of the Palawan NGO Network Inc.-Global Legal Action for Climate Change (PNNI-GLACC) and PNP-Maritime officials had seized 84 illegal wildlife parts vulnerable wildlife species which are ready for shipment following a raid in southern Palawan. The talking mynahs were found crowded in five cages and were abandoned in a forested area in Punta Baja, Rizal. No suspect were arrested. Undoubtedly, the Wildlife Conservation Act sends a message that Palawan is serious about tackling the illegal wildlife trade. According to Beth Maclang, Advocacy Officer of PNNI, information from their source revealed that these wildlife species will be ship out on the said date via twin-engine motorized banca going to the province of Batangas. The shipment has been under surveillance for quiet sometime prior to the conduct of joint operation. Although she refused to name the perpetrator, the latter confirmed that it was the one involved in March 2006 operations of PNNI-GLACC that posted bail before the court. Maclang believed that there influential persons behind this rampant wild syndicates in southern Palawan. However, she assures that they’ll intensify their endeavors to prosecute this syndicate. Recently, the apprehending team successfully seized abandoned 24 talking mynahs in said town going to Batangas. “Ang hinala ng PNNI-GLACC ay mayroon silang nakukuhang proteksyon at may mga impormasyon na sila ay may malalaking koneksyon pero hindi titigil ang PNNI-GLACC para sila mapanagot,” Maclang stressed. The advocacy officer also lamented that indigenous people (IP) who are highly-vulnerable group are being use for the advantage of the perpetrators in exchange of small amount. As per information, the talking mynahs were bought to them in prizes ranging from P200 toP250 depending on its size. However it is being sold to the black-market at P8,000 per bird. “Nakakaawa ang ating mga katutubo dahil sinasamantala ang kanilang kaunting kaalaman para sa ganitong klaseng gawain,” she lamented. The apprehending team is also appealing to everyone to be aware and vigilant in protecting our environment and its inhabitants. This year has seen four successful operations of the PNNI-GLACC against illegal wildlife traders in southern Palawan.