Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director for Region 10 Allan Poquita (left) points to a mound of fossilized giant clams placed in sacks that were confiscated by police at a checkpoint in Barangay Lumbia here on Tuesday. The clams, estimated to weigh 8,000 kilograms are said to have a market value of P48 million. With Poquita is BFAR assistant regional director Teodoro Bacolod Jr. (2nd from left). (photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)
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By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
Correspondent .

POLICE caught 11 people for transporting nearly P50 million worth of fossilized giant clams or “taklobo” in Barangay Lumbia here Tuesday dawn.

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Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director for Region 10 Allan Poquita (left) points to a mound of fossilized giant clams placed in sacks that were confiscated by police at a checkpoint in Barangay Lumbia here on Tuesday. The clams, estimated to weigh 8,000 kilograms are said to have a market value of P48 million. With Poquita is BFAR assistant regional director Teodoro Bacolod Jr. (2nd from left). (photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)

The suspects are facing administrative and criminal charges, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) official in Region 10 said yesterday.

Teodoro Bacolod Jr., BFAR assistant regional director, said the suspects would be charged with violating Republic Act 10654 which amended Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Section 102 of RA 10654 states: “It shall be unlawful to fish or take, catch, gather, sell, purchase, possess, transport, export, forward or ship out aquatic species listed in Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites), or those categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as threatened and determined by the Department as such.”

He said the BFAR national office has advised them to file both administrative and criminal charges.

Bacolod said BFAR would file the administrative case while the police would file the criminal case against the suspects.

The 8,000 kilograms of giant clams are estimated to be worth P48 million based on the reported buying price of P350,000 per kilo, Bacolod said.

He said the would-be buyers are believed to be foreigners who wanted to purchase the clams for the components of pearl found in the fossilized shells.

Bacolod said they have recommended a fine of P5 million for all the 11 suspects.

“We want to teach them a lesson that they cannot just take our fisheries laws for granted. They have to pay the price,” said Bacolod, adding that the exorbitant penalty is meant to discourage those who engaged in the illegal act.

The suspects, aboard a truck loaded with the clams, were flagged down by officers from the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) who were manning a checkpoint in Lumbia.

Lt. Col. Alexy Sonido, CMFC commander, said the truck was stopped due to a traffic infraction, but they apprehended the individuals on board and the cargo was confiscated when the suspects failed to present any documents.

“The driver was not wearing a seat belt and he was issued a citation ticket, but when the truck was inspected, police found people inside and dozens of sacks containing the giant clams,” he said.

Sonido said the truck came from Barangay Bayanga and was headed for Initao town, Misamis Oriental, where a buyer was waiting.

He said the truck was registered to one Precily Ceniza of Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental.

Police identified the suspects as Christopher Pornia, 28, of Barangay Poblacion, Quezon town, Bukidnon (truck driver), Ricky Sunogan, 50; Larry Salvan, 45; Diosdado Abellana, 29; Arnel Sanchez, 49; Peterson Suan, 55; Ricky Allones, 35; Jed Ragmac, 29; Ramil Villagracia, 19; Ronel Pilarca, 30; and Michael Paler, 24. Those arrested come from Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

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