Tigers, pythons found in QC house

MANILA, Philippines - At least five tigers and two pythons in cages were found by firefighters in the backyard of a burning house in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Quezon City yesterday.

Investigator SFO1 Rosendo Cabillan said they also saw exotic cats, four dogs, birds, and fighting cocks, adding that six of the fighting cocks were burned when the house owned by Robert Co was gutted by flames.

He said the fire broke out at around 2:51 a.m., reaching second alarm before it was put out at past 3 a.m. Cabillan said the only persons staying at the house were Co’s bodyguards and their families. A caretaker said Co is not in the country.

While arson probers are still trying to determine what caused the blaze, Cabillan said someone might have been burning garbage or wood and the fire might have spread to a stockpile of wood in the compound.

Mundita Lim, director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said Co could be charged with illegal possession of wild animals.

She said while the wild animals were covered a certificate of wildlife registration, they were registered in Region 3. If the animals are kept in Metro Manila, the owner should secure a transfer permit, which Lim said appeared to be lacking.

Lim said PAWB personnel are conducting an inventory of the animals discovered in the compound. – With Rhodina Villanueva