Sarangani: Alert police officers manning a checkpoint in Maasim, Sarangani province, arrested a man on Monday for illegally transporting 25 endangered bird species, police reported. Col. Jerone Orville Panganiban, acting provincial director of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, stated that personnel from the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) and the Maasim Municipal Police Station intercepted a Mitsubishi Montero Sport during a routine checkpoint operation at Sitio Seguil, Barangay Tinoto.

According to Philippines News Agency, the driver, identified as ‘Junior,’ 34, a resident of Digos City, was unable to present documents to legalize his transport of endangered wildlife. Panganiban mentioned that the police verified with Forest Protection Officer (FPO) Jalal Pantao of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), who confirmed the suspect had no transport permit.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Kiamba documented a total of 25 hornbills, comprising six Mindanao hornbills and 19 Rufous hornbills. The DENR later confirmed these as Mindanao Writhed hornbills and Southern Rufous hornbills, Panganiban said. The hornbills were immediately transported and turned over to the DENR-12 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center for documentation and safekeeping.

Panganiban also noted that CENRO Kiamba is preparing to file charges against the arrested violator for violating Republic Act 9147, known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. “The Sarangani Police Provincial Office, in close coordination with DENR, reiterates its commitment to protecting the environment and upholding wildlife laws to preserve biodiversity in the region,” Panganiban said.