DENR Confiscates Sea Turtles, Palawan Pangolins at Check Point
SEA TURTLES – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has confiscated dead sea turtles and frozen Palawan pangolins at a checkpoint in Palawan.
The DENR is out to protect not only the environment but as well as the wildlife. Recently, the authorities conducted a checkpoint at the northern part of Puerto Princesa, a coastal city in Palawan.
Based on a report on Inquirer.net, at the said checkpoint, the DENR has confiscated dead and frozen sea turtles and Palawan pangolins carried by a truck. It was around 5:30 in the morning when the authorities seized the sea turtles and pangolins at the Santa Lourdes checkpoint.
Speaking to Inquirer, Community Environment and Natural Resource Officer (CENRO) Elmer Garaez expressed that the driver of the truck told them that he came from Roxas to deliver it to someone in Puerto Princesa City.
Based on the report, the Elf truck loaded with dead and frozen sea turtles and Palawan pangolins came from the northern part of the province. 16 turtles and 21 pangolins were taken by the authorities. The said pangolins are believed to only be found in Palawan.
Furthermore, according to the report, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has labeled the said pangolins (Manis Culionensis) as “endangered”.
Garaez expressed that those confiscated sea turtles and pangolins were already handed to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) for disposition.
Currently, the authorities are still investigating the shipment. Based on the report, a case against the truck driver over the alleged transport of the dead turtles and pangolins is being prepared.
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