The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in

Central Visayas confiscated at least 33 heads of birds that were being

sold by three people along Apitong Street in Cebu City.

Seized by DENR personnel and operatives from the Philippine

National Police Regional Office last June 22 were a common Hill
myna, 28 Lovebirds, two Lovebirds Black mask and two Tarictic
hornbill.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature

(IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the Hill myna is classified as
a threatened species while the Tarictic hornbill is endangered species.

“Threatened is a general term to denote species or subspecies

considered as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or other
accepted categories of wildlife whose population is at risk of
extinction,” said DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo in
a statement.

Endangered species, on the other hand, refers to species or subspecies

that are not critically endangered but whose survival in the wild is at
risk.

The three vendors who were trying to sell the birds failed to present
necessary permits, they were identified as spouses Benjamin and
Mirabel Abella, and Darwin Abella of Barangay Gudalupe, Cebu City.

A case was filed against them before the Regional Trial Court on June
25 in violation of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act. They were released after they posted
bail of P8,000 each.

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“We will enforce the existing laws as instructed by DENR Secretary
Ramon JP Paje as we want to conserve and protect wildlife species
and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance
biological diversity,” Montejo added.

Montejo also said that illegal trade of endangered species is penalized

by a fine of P200,000 and a jail term of two years while the killing of
endangered animals carries the penalty of imprisonment of six years
and a fine of P500,000.