3 wildlife traders convicted

MANILA, Philippines — Three men have been sent to prison for transporting critically endangered Philippine pangolins.

Simforoso Salazar, Jorlan Torrequimada and Victor Equisa were sentenced to up to three months in prison after pleading guilty to violating Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Tagaytay City Municipal Trial Court  Branch 1 Judge Liezl Rosario Mendoza said in her recent ruling. They were also ordered to pay a fine of P20,000 each.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lauded the arrest and conviction of the three, saying it shows the resolve of authorities to crack down on poachers, wildlife traffickers and traders.

“We welcome this victory not only for wildlife species that were rescued but also for the future generation who will benefit from the recuperation and proliferation of its kind,” Cimatu said.

Ten heads of the Philippine pangolin were recovered at a checkpoint in Tagaytay City last June.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development said only three of the rescued pangolins survived.

Locally known as balintong, the Philippine pangolin is in demand among Chinese for its scales and meat, which supposedly have medicinal properties.