PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT. Members of the PNP Maritime Group seize some 7,000 kilos of "taklobo" (giant clams) in Barangay Cayhagan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Oct. 26, 2021. The police force vowed to intensify its enforcement of environmental laws in the country. (Photo courtesy of 4th Special Operations Unit-PNP Maritime Group)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday vowed to continue working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in going after perpetrators of acts that destroy the environment.
PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, made the statement following separate operations that resulted in the recovery of giant clams and illegally gathered lumber in Negros Occidental and Northern Samar, respectively.
Citing reports that reached his office, Eleazar said members of the PNP Maritime Group seized a total of 7,000 kilos of endangered fossilized and fresh clams, locally known as "taclobo", in Sitio Ondol Pasil, Barangay Cayhagan in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last October 26.
The operation resulted in the seizure of endangered clams worth PHP490,000 and the arrest of two suspects.
On Wednesday, police officers confiscated illegally cut lumber worth around PHP400,000 at a checkpoint in Allen, Northern Samar.
The logs were found inside a 10-wheeler reefer van driven by a certain Jan Richard Ballosa. He was arrested after failing to present documents showing that he is authorized to transport these logs.
Criminal charges against the suspects in the two incidents are already being readied.
Eleazar reminded the public about existing laws that aim to preserve the environment and the country’s natural resources.
He tasked all police offices and units to strengthen measures against individuals or groups engaged in illegal activities such as poaching of endangered species, illegal quarrying and illegal logging. (PNA)
