EDITORIAL - Knights of Tuko

At least two government agencies — the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bureau of Customs —  have come together to take a common stand, and that is to protect the gecko or “tuko” and put a stop to its exploitation.

Protecting the tuko must be so compelling, important and urgent. Otherwise, how can two agencies with widely divergent interests be united in a common cause? Why, even the news of their initiative got carried in all the major national dailies.

The tuko, as its name suggests, is bigger than the tiki. But they are not exactly the same animal, meaning the tiki does not grow into a tuko. If a tiki gets big, it is just a big tiki. A tuko is a tuko from birth. 

There is no mistaking a tuko for a tiki. A tiki invites no heart attack. But if a tuko ever falls on your nose, you would not even have time to pray for fortitude and strength. Even Manny Pacquiao, should he find a tuko in his pocket, will likely scream like a little girl.

The tuko is a hideous looking creature. But aside from its horrid looks, it seems it has its other uses, most of them apparently medicinal, although there are others, like superstitious gamblers, who derive meanings from the number of croaks a tuko makes in the dead of night.

But for whatever reason, it seems there is a growing interest among certain types of people in the tuko, and the trade in these animals is reportedly brisk. That is why the DENR and Customs have joined hands to stop the practice.

One question, though. Why in the world is government moving heaven and earth for the tuko in face of so many other, more pressing, things that need more qualified attention by these very important agencies.

It is hard to imagine that in face of all the illegal fishing, illegal logging, illegal mining, car smuggling, rice smuggling, drug smuggling, the government would suddenly seem so very gung-ho over the tuko. Try listening to a tuko croaking tonight. Maybe it knows the answer.