PCG seizes 20 kilos of pangolin meat

Manila, Philippines -  The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 kilos of meat of the endangered scaly anteater or pangolin to El Nido in Palawan last Monday.

PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said their men at the Liminangcong station in Taytay, Palawan prevented the transport of the pangolin meat to El Nido.

The contraband was reportedly found in an icebox onboard the M/V Josile-2.

The Philippine National Police Maritime Group sought the PCG’s assistance last Monday morning in verifying a text message that the vessel supposedly carried endangered animal species.

The PCG then conducted the mandatory pre-departure inspection and discovered the pangolin meat in an icebox at the vessel’s dining area.

The four pieces of pangolin meat weighed about 20 kilos and had an estimated value of P10,000.

The Philippine pangolin (locally called balentong) is endemic to Palawan and is close to becoming a threatened species. Its meat is considered a delicacy among Chinese, who also believe that its scales have medicinal properties.