DENR Wants Hikers Picking Endangered Plants in Marinduque Face Charges
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called on the group of hikers to face charges for allegedly picking endangered plants in Marinduque.
The DENR summoned a group of hikers after they were caught picking up an endangered pitcher plant in Marinduque. In the Facebook post of the DENR Office in Marinduque shows the various types of plants picked by such hikers.
In the photo, the group hikers are seen holding a bunch of plants with one of them holding the endangered pitcher plants. This plant is rare and considered endangered, so it is not allowed to be taken from the forests.
“Based on the post sa internet, nakita natin ‘yung species na very rare na pitcher plant. Ito ‘yung talagang nasa top 10 natin na ipinagbabawal na kunin dito. ‘Yun ‘yung nakita nating mga ebidensiya na puwedeng gamitin when we file our case against them,” said DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones.
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The agency has already called the hikers to explain. There was a “Preliminary Hearing” held at DENR-PENRO Marinduque between the agency chiefs and the violators who voluntarily went to the office, about the illegal collection of forest plants on Mt. Alindig.
OIC-PENR Officer Imelda M. Diaz explained Republic Act 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act” to the people involved. The hikers have apologized to the DENR.
The hikers returned the harvested plants, but others dried up and withered. The DENR continues to identify other plants that the group acquired when they were returned.
Meanwhile, after all the consolidating the informations, the DENR will be then filing cases against these illegal collectors of wildlife. They could face charges of violating the Wildlife Act of 2001 with a fine of P10,000 to P1,000,000 and imprisonment for 10 days to 12 years.
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