Endangered giant clams poacher falls in NegOr

MANILA – A man yielded PHP50 million worth of giant clams (taklobo) in an operation in Negros Oriental, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Saturday.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said suspect Ricardo dela Cruz Jr. was arrested by joint police and environment protection operatives after selling 1,000 kilograms of giant clams to a poseur buyer in Barangay Pagatban, Bayawan City on Friday.

Meanwhile, another suspect Yan Hu Liang alias “Sunny”, the alleged owner of the giant clams, remains at large.

Seized from the suspect were marked money, giant clams, a .45 caliber pistol, and live ammunition.

Dela Cruz is temporarily detained at Bayawan City Police Station and would be charged with the violation of the country’s fisheries laws which provides for the conservation of “rare, threatened and endangered fishery species”.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources earlier declared the catching of giant clams as illegal as these are considered as among endangered marine species, as listed by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and set in the Fisheries Administrative Order 208.

“This accomplishment ensures that the sustainable conservation and protection of fishery and aquatic resources law is being implemented by our local authorities,” Sinas said.