- The DENR and the NBI captured Southern Tagalog’s “most wanted” seller of rare animals
- At least eight different kinds of species were recovered from the suspect
- The man denied selling the animals, but messages from his Facebook account reveal his transactions with buyers
The “most wanted” seller of endangered animals in the Southern Tagalog region has been arrested by government operatives on Thursday; following an operation led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
In an article written by Rie Takumi for GMA News Online, it was disclosed that the suspect identified as Adamson Lacadem is currently facing criminal charges for violating Republic Act 9147; also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Lacadem, who was arrested in the City of Dasmariñas in Cavite, was found to be in possession of three baby olive ridley sea turtles, two civet cats, two braminy kites (Singapore bald eagles), African love birds, a chattering lorrie (forest parrot), and a grass owl.
The government agents were also able to recover a yellow-faced talking myna and a bull python that is valued between P30,000 to P40,000 from a residence neighboring the suspect’s house.
According to DENR’s Wildlife Enforcement Officer Rogelio Demelletes, the species found from Lacadem are among those that are considered as rare, and could even be likened to national treasures.
“Ito po ay parang tinatawag nating national treasure. Kumakaunti na po yung mga ibon na ganito sa wild. Sana magtulungan po tayo para ‘yung ating mga kabataan at future generation, ‘yung mga ibong ito hindi lang nila basta makikita sa kalendaryo o sa mga retrato [We can label this as national treasures. Birds like these are becoming less in the wild. I hope we can help one another in preserving these birds, so that the youth and the future generations will not only see them in calendars and pictures],” Demelletes said.
Lacadem has denied selling the animals, but messages recovered by law enforcers from the suspect’s Facebook account reveal his transactions with several buyers.
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