Giant Clams Worth 2 Billion Seized In GenSan
GIANT CLAMS – The authorities seized 120,000 tons of giant clams worth 2 billion pesos in General Santos City.
The giant clams locally known as “taklobo” are found on the shores of the Philippines and in the West Philippine Sea. It can be found at depths of 66 feet. The country has 12 species of the clams.
In May this year, the authorities found a massive number of ‘taklobo’ in Davao del Norte. They found 40,000 kgs of clams at a vacant lot.
Recently, the authorities once again found a number of giant clams in General Santos City. Based on a report from ABS-CBN News, cops said all the clams that were found on Monday at Barangay Bawin, GenSan was worth 2 billion pesos.
The assistant regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation in Davao City, Exzel Hernandez, said someone tipped that there are tons of giant clams hidden on the said location.
“Visually talagang may stockpile ng mga items na ‘yun that’s why we opted to confiscate these endangered clams without the benefit of a warrant,” said Hernandez.
According to the report, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Soccsksargen, the giant clams came from different parts of the country. The seized clams weigh over 120,000 tons. It can be sold for P2,000 per kilo.
“Ang violation nito is mayroong imprisonment na 5 to 8 years plus a fine of P300,000 to P3 million,” said BFAR officer Jose Andrew Abello.
Based on the report, the hunters said they did not violate any law because those clams came from the mountains. They also showed some permits to hunt.
BFAR said it’s still illegal weather it’s from the mountain or sea. The authorities are still trying to determine the owner of the “taklobo.”
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