Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: PHILIPPINE INITIATIVES Flashcards
It is among the top four illicit business industries, along with drug, weapon & human trafficking. It is estimated at a global scale to be worth US$7-21 Billion per year
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE (Wildlife trafficking)
Most Illegally Trade species
- Marine Turtle
- Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa) - V
- Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis) - CE
Main reasons for wildlife trafficking
- Local pet trade
- To cure illness and bring good health or well-being
- High demand
Legal Bases in combating illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines.
- Republic Act 9147
- Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 2004-01
- DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-55
- DENR Memo Circular 2010-17 dated 18 October 2010
IRR prescribing the procedures and
guidelines for the implementation of the
Wildlife Act
Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative
Order No. 2004-01
otherwise known as the “Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act” (Wildlife
Act)
Republic Act 9147
DENR Streamlining/procedural
guidelines pursuant to the Joint IRR
DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-55
- adopting the “Wildlife Law Enforcement Manual of Operations”
(WLE-MOP) as guide in the enforcement
of RA 9147
DENR Memo Circular 2010-17 dated 18 October 2010
A Legal basis with an objective to regulate collection and trade of wildlife
RA 9147
Objectives of RA 9147 (sec 2)
- To conserve and protect
wildlife species and their
habitats to promote
ecological balance and
enhance biological
diversity - To initiate or support
scientific studies on
the conservation of
biological diversity - To pursue, with due
regard to the national
interest, the Philippine
commitment to
international - conventions on the
protection of wildlife
and their habitats
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered in Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or CITES, is also known as
Washington Convention
(concluded in Washington),
an international agreement between Governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Parties to CITES are required, among others, to enact a National
Legislation that at the very least, must:
- designate a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority
- prohibit trade in specimens in violation of the Convention
- penalize such trade
- allow for the confiscation of illegally traded or possessed specimens
Systems and Tools Development in the Current Efforts include:
- WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
- Environmental Law Enforcement Management Information Systems (ELEMIS)
- WildALERT
approved by the DENR Secretary
for adoption and nationwide
implementation on 18 October
2010, through Memorandum
Circular No. 2010-17
WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
provides the legal processes,
documentary requirements and
technical references in the
enforcement of R.A. 9147
WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
provides the standard monitoring,
reporting, and documentary forms to facilitate the prosecution of wildlife-related cases
WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
tasks the BMB (then PAWB) and the Regional Offices to disseminate the MOP and to undertake capacity building to
ensure efficient and effective application of the Manual by all concerned
WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL OF OPERATIONS
- web-based system that aims to: 1) facilitate gathering, recording and analysis of evidence on incidents related to environmental law violation; 2) serve as a tool for enforcers to prepare necessary forms or reports from apprehension to filing of cases; and, 3) track down and monitor status of incidents/cases, including seized/confiscated items
- developed and will be managed by the DENR- Knowledge
and Information Systems Service (KISS)
Environmental Law Enforcement Management Information
Systems (ELEMIS)
a comprehensive species identification and response mobile application to combat wildlife trafficking & help frontline wildlife law enforcement agencies correctly identify, report and handle perpetrators caught in the illegal wildlife trade
WildALERT
initiated in 2010, this campaign is an attempt to broaden the knowledge of airport authorities, airline companies, courier service providers and other entities operating within major ports on national and international policies
governing ivory and wildlife trade, and for us to gain more active support in curbing illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products in the country
- Twenty three (23) ports have been covered by this campaign, including participants from PNP, PCG, PPA, DA (BAI and BFAR), PhilPost, airline and shipping companies operating in nearby ports, and the LGU, among others.
◉ Orientation-Seminar on National and Internal Policies on Wildlife Trade
by
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)
or Community Education & Public Awareness (CEPA)
- aims to develop a pool of trainers that will assist in the dissemination and
application of the WLE-MOP nationwide - A total of 493 officials/personnel from the regional and field offices of the DENR, various government agencies including local government units, and the
civil society trained in the past 9 years
Training of Trainers on the Application of Wildlife Law Enforcement Manual of
Operations
with Capacity Building
- piloted held last 18-24 March 2018 in our effort to develop a standard training program on wildlife forensics and criminal investigation
- with support from US Government’s 2 projects: USAID Protect Wildlife Project
and USDOI-International Technical Assistance Program’s Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation 3 (PBC3)
Wildlife Forensic and Criminal Investigation Training
with
Capacity Building
- Aims to capacitate DENR Field personnel in wildlife species
identification, handling, and wildlife conservation management
techniques. - A 5-session, 2-week training scheduled in August and October 2018, and first half of 2019.
- Each session will focus on a particular taxon (Herpetofauna, Birds, Mammals, Insects and Plants)
Training on Wildlife Conservation and Management: Species Identification, Handling and Management Techniques/ (WCMT)
with Capacity Building
Major tasks include investigation of ivory smuggling, trans-border poaching and illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines and filing of case against law violators; Members include officers from the Philippine National Police (NCR Police Office and Criminal Investigation & Detection Group), Bureau of Customs, Office of the
President – National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Creation of Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) , 21 June 2013
Capacity Building in the current efforts inlclude:
- Training of Trainers on the Application of Wildlife Law Enforcement Manual of
Operations - Wildlife Forensic and Criminal Investigation Training
- Training on Wildlife Conservation and Management: Species Identification,
Handling and Management Techniques/ (WCMT)
Law enforcement in current efforts include:
- Creation of Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade
(POGI) , 21 June 2013 - Task Force DENR Enforcers Metro Manila (TF-DEMM)
Major tasks include investigation of ivory smuggling, trans-border poaching and illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines and filing of cases against law violators; Members include officers from the Philippine National Police (NCR Police Office and Criminal Investigation & Detection Group), Bureau of Customs, Office of the
President – National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Creation of Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) , 21 June 2013
- DENR Special Order No. 2017-812, 19 Oct. 2017
- Tasks are to apprehend illegal forest products, wildlife, conveyances,
etc.; hold violators accountable; and, file administrative, civil or
criminal cases against the violators, among other responsibilities - Functions expanded to cover the whole country thru an Addendum
dated 18 January 2018.
Task Force DENR Enforcers Metro Manila (TF-DEMM)
6 Regions/areas with most number of confiscated animals:
- MIMAROPA and PCSD
- NCR
- Region 12
- Region 13
- CALABARZON
- Region 11
A sample of Wildlife Law Enforcement Operation in Metro Manila in which the joint team conducted an operation
which resulted to a confiscation of 4
individuals of wild fauna. It includes: 2 hds of Brahminy Kite, 1 hd of White-breasted Sea Eagle, 1 hd of Changeable Hawk Eagle.
Criminal case has been filed aagainst the
apprehended individual.
Sta. Mesa, Manila
June 06, 2020
WHERE WHEN??
The joint team conducted an operation which
resulted to a confiscation of 56 individuals of
wild fauna. It includes: 4 hds of Green Iguana,
2 Red footed Tortoise, 4 Rainbow/Coconut
Lory, 10 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green-
cheeked Conure/Parakeet, 7 Cockatiel, 2
Crimson bellied Conure, 13 African Lovebird, 1
Red rumped Parakeet, and 11 Diamond Dove.
Criminal case has been filed against the 3
individuals.
Oriental Mindoro
December 10, 2019
WHERE WHEN??
The entrapment operation was set and
resulted to the confiscation of 315
grams of Agarwood from a Malaysian
National.
Criminal case has been filed against the
individual.
Mandaluyong City
November 4, 2019
WHERE WHEN???
Buy-bust operation was set that leads
to the apprehension of three (3)
individuals and confiscation of 15.3 kilos
of agarwood.
Criminal case has been filed against the
3 individuals
Quezon City
October 11, 2019
WHERE WHEN???
Based on information given by an
asset; a buy-bust operation was set
that leads to the apprehension of
Two(2) individuals and confiscation of
450 hds of various species of exotic
wildlife believed to have originated
from Indonesia
* Criminal case has been filed against
the 2 individuals. Accused has been
convicted.
Sitio Manggihay, Brgy. Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental
08 April 2019
WHERE WHEN???
Four unclaimed/abandoned baggage
at Terminal 2, Arrival Area, NAIA,
Pasay City from Hong Kong were
subjected to x-ray and yielded
positive of various species tortoise
and freshwater turtles totaling 1530
hds. The subject person in the
attempted smuggling is now under
investigation
Terminal 2, Arrival Area, NAIA, Pasay City
03 March 2019
WHERE WHEN???
Based on report that an eatery in
Cebu City serves turtle meat stew;
said eatery also sells raw turtle meat
* Five (5) individuals were
apprehended, including the owner
and the eatery’s cook
* A total of 94.5 kgs of marine turtle
meat were confiscated
* Criminal case has been filed against
the 5 individuals
Brgy. Pasil, Cebu City
11 December 2018
WHERE WHEN??
6 hds of monitor lizards concealed inside a 4-pc-set Xenon speakers were
intercepted at the FEDEX Cargo area
FEDEX, NAIA 2, Pasay Case
28 December 2016
WHERE??
Involved a DOTr-OTS officer
- 46 hds of various wildlife including
Tarsiers, Scops owls, and monitor lizards
were intercepted at the PAL Cargo Area - The shipment was declared as aquatic
plants and were bound for Japan - Court hearing on the case against the
shipper is still in progress
NAIA Case
WHERE WHEN??
164.69 kgs of eviscerated
meat of Pangolins, 13 sacks of
seahorse, and a sack of sea
dragons were confiscated by
the Philippine Coast Guard
from a cargo truck aboard MV
Francis Xavier at Pier 4, North
Harbor, Manila. The cargo
truck was accompanied by
Marjun Sueta, the driver and
his helper, Benjio Estrella.
Criminal charges were filed
against the two individuals.
Pier 4, North Harbor, Manila
13 January 2017
WHERE WHEN???
- Raid of a residential house in New Manila, Quezon
City - Confiscated 167 wild fauna (African spurred
tortoise, Aldabra giant tortoise, Philippine pond
turtle, Red-footed tortoise, Green iguana, Boa
constrictor, Ball python, Reticulated python and
Gray’s monitor lizard) - A criminal case has been filed against Mr. Kerwin
Ang. On 22 May 2018, the Court found him guilty
of violating Sec 27(f)of RA 9147.
Sta. Mesa Heights case
December 16, 2014
WHERE WHEN???
504 Pitcher plants, 459 Lady slippers’ orchids were confiscated from an individual in
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; criminal complaint was filed against the said individual; the Court found said person guilty of illegal possession and trading of afore-mentioned wild plant species.
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte
21 February 2017
WHERE WHEN???
involved a couple engaged in the buying and
selling of Bantigue plants, an endangered species
* 34 big sacks of the plants (dead and newly
harvested) were seized
* Bantigue plants are well-known in the horticultural
industry as bonsai plants for ornamental,
landscaping purposes
* Dead specimens are used in the production of
accessories (e.g. native bracelets), walking canes,
tool handles, fence posts, etc.
Dingalan, Aurora – General Nakar, Quezon
09 August 2018
WHERE WHEN???
Involved a businessman who was advertising wildlife sale through the internet
- Charged also with exploitation of cave resources (stalactites, stalagmites) and marine
resources such as hard corals, black corals, giant clams
Pagadian City case
June 2014
As of 2017, there are how many established wildlife rescue centers in our country?
58
List of constantly monitored hotsopots in the Philippines
1 Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan
2 Hasa-Hasa Shoal or Half- moon Shoal, Palawan
3 Balabac Island, Palawan
4 Pangutaran Island, Tawi-tawi
5 Turtle Islands, Tawi-tawi
6 Glan, Saranggani
7 Balut Island, Davao del Sur
8 Lipata Port, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
9 Northern Palawan-Cebu-Mindoro-Batangas-Cavite loop
10 Metro Manila & Central Luzon (Pampanga, Bulacan & Nueva Ecija)
issue in which difficult to determine if traders are legitimate or not as those involved can use proxy names & accounts
Wildlife trade through the internet
Issues and Challenges in combating illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines
Wildlife trade through the internet
Insufficient capacity on wildlife identification
Inadequate resources to track & crack down
Strengthening & sustaining inter-agency
Policy gaps especially in terms of penalty as deterrent
Providing incentives to informants
Valuing wildlife
Different interpretation of penalty provisions of RA 9147 among Judges
