CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Four suspected wildlife poachers were arrested in the protected area of Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBNP) in Bulacan for yielding more than 6,000 wrinkly-lipped bats (Chaerephon plicatus) worth over P90,000.
Paquito Moreno, Jr., executive director of DENR in Central Luzon, said the operation was conducted by joint operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Baliwag town, the Philippine National Police (PNP) of San Miguel town and the National Anti-illegal Logging Task Force in an effort to save the remaining biodiversity in the area.
Moreno identified the suspects as Rolando Santiago, 40; Reynante Donito Gonzales, 44; Rejie Mangahas, 28; and Ronald Santiago, 39, all residents of barangay Biak-na-Bato in San Miguel town.
“Hunting, destroying, disturbing or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom without permit from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) are strictly prohibited inside the protected area,” Moreno explained.
He said wrinkly-lipped bats are classified as vulnerable species under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories.
The DENR has already filed criminal charges against the suspects for violating Section 20 (a) of the Republic Act (RA) No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) law as amended by RA 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS law.
Section 21 of RA 7586 imposes a penalty of maximum of P500,000 fine, exclusive of the damage value of wildlife, and a maximum of six years imprisonment.
The dead bats were immediately buried to prevent potential spread of infection and zoonotic disease and some 100 alive bats were released back into the wild.
The DENR warned the public that any persons found involved in illegal wildlife trade and destruction of protected areas shall be penalized under existing environmental laws, rules and regulations.
The more than 2,000-ha historic BNBNP was established by former President Manuel Quezon through Proclamation No. 223 on November 1937.
DENR study shows that the park is home to 177 animal species, including endemic species like Kalaw or Philippine hornbill, Spotted wild boar, Philippine deer, Giant cloud rats, Philippine macaque, monitor lizards, and swiftlets.
