Manhunt on vs. consignee of endangered species

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) launched a manhunt yesterday for the consignee of a shipment of endangered marine species seized by authorities on Wednesday.

BOC deputy commissioner for enforcement service Horacio Suansing said customs police personnel are hunting down Exequiel Navarro, whose name appeared in the bill of lading and is believed to be behind the attempted smuggling of some P35 million worth of endangered sea turtles (pawikan), rare black corals and seashells out of the country.

“We want to ask him where he got the pawikans, seashells and black corals. Where did he buy them and who are those behind the syndicate operating in Cotabato?” Suansing said.

He said Navarro may be charged for violating Republic Act 8550, the Philippine Fisheries Code, among other cases that may be recommended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Since this is a domestic issue, wherein the crime was committed in Cotabato, Mindanao, the bureau is coordinating with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and the local Philippine National Police to track down the syndicate,” Suansing added. 

The BOC official said an inventory of the shipment is still ongoing but the initial estimate is that one shipping container alone contains about 100 sea turtles.

The BOC said the illegal trade in black corals is fueled by the demand for exotic decor and the increasing popularity of coral-accented jewelries and fashion accessories. Sea turtle meat is also considered as an aphrodisiac in some countries.

Suansing said it is likely that the smuggled items would be brought to China and European countries.