DENR 7 Files Cases Against Seven Wildlife Traders

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has filed seven cases in court against seven illegal wildlife traders for violation of Section 27 of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

“This is a reminder that we are seriously and critically pursuing our mandate of protecting our wildlife because they play a very important support system for our existence and we should endeavor to co-exist with them,” said DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo.

Montejo said the agency is conducting regular intelligence gathering in pet shops or other similar places that are selling or trading wildlife species without permits from the DENR as part of the continued efforts on wildlife protection.

Republic Act 9147 penalizes anyone who is involved illegal trading and selling of any wildlife species with a jail term of two years to four years and a fine of PHP5,000 to PHP300,000.

“We will not hesitate to implement the full force of the law against those who engage in illegal trading, collection and possession of wildlife species,” Montejo said.

Montejo warned poachers who try to smuggle wildlife species as the wildlife monitoring units in airports and seaports are now being alerted 24 hours a day.

Montejo also urged the public not to remove or take away wildlife species from their natural habitat or else it would threaten their ability to survive in a new environment.

Montejo said the public can help eradicate illegal wildlife trade by not patronizing illegal wildlife consumerism and reporting suspected illegal wildlife traders.

RA 9147 also penalizes mere possession of endangered wildlife species with a jail term of up to two years and a fine of not more than PHP20,000.

Involvement in illegal trade of endangered species carries a penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of PHP200,000. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS