Ibon-Ebon organizer to sue game hunters for killing wild ducks for vlog’s sake

The organizer of the country’s first and only bird-watching festival is going after game hunters who posted killings of hundreds of Philippine wild ducks in their vlog sites just for content’s sake.

Former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, who started the Ibon-Ebon (Bird-Egg) Festival in Pampanga in 2008, bared he will be filing charges against the game hunters who have “arrogantly” claimed in their social media sites killing wild Philippine ducks which are considered endangered.

The Philippine duck, locally known as dumara, is rated endangered on the IUCN Red List with the population estimated to be 3,300 to 6,700 mature individuals remaining. The species has experienced steep population decreases since the 1970s mainly due to hunting and habitat loss.

“It’s really heartbreaking seeing these game hunters posting videos in their social media accounts, boasting of killing dumara by the hundreds,” said Pelayo, the primary organizer of the Ibon Ebon
Festival which allowed local and foreign tourists unhampered watching of 17,000 migratory birds of at least 49 species who flock to Candaba Swamps annually.

Unfortunately, the annual Ibon Ebon Festival was cancelled after Pelayo completed his three terms as Candaba mayor in 2013 by his successor.

Pelayo has identified bird hunting groups but Pampanga News Now has yet to get their side.

The former mayor said the game hunters would be charged with violation of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as An Act Providing For The Conservation And Protection Of Wildlife Resources

And Their Habitats, Appropriating Funds Therefore And For Other Purposes.

Section 27 of the Implementing Rules And Regulations of RA 9147 clearly states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully knowing exploit wildlife resources and their habitats, or undertake the killing and destroying of wildlife species.”

“They cannot feign ignorance as ignorance of the law spares no one. If they are found guilty, they can face imprisonment of up to 12 years, aside from the hefty fines to be imposed on them,” Pelayo stressed.

The law also provides penalty for every wildlife killed intentionally.

The penalty are as follows: a) Critically endangered species – Jail term of six years and one day to 12 years and/or a fine of P100,000 to P1 million; b) Endangered species – Jail term of four years and one day to six years and/or a fine of P50,000 to P500,000; c) Vulnerable species – Jail term of two years and one day to four years and/or a fine of P30,000 to P300,000.

Pelayo’s latest move against the illegal game hunters comes in the heels of a recent court ruling convicting a Korean national for killing a dog in March 2024.
Jung Seongho was found guilty of ‘animal cruelty’ in a case filed against him by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society in March 2024 and was sentenced to two years imprisonment and was fined
P100,000.

It was learned that the dog named “Erica” was taken cared of by a restaurant in 2021 during the pandemic.

Pelayo said they have already sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to track down the game hunters through their vlog sites.

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Ibon-Ebon organizer to sue game hunters for killing wild ducks for vlog’s sake

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