This letter is in response to the article written by a Philippine STAR stringer, Cet Dematera published on July 30, 2012 on page A-28 with the story headline “Teen testifies vs fisherman for killing sea turtle.”
Based on the last paragraph of the news, Ms. Dematera intimated “There has been several cases of poaching and killing of sea turtles across Bicol, but no charges have been filed as no witnesses have surfaced.” We wish to correct this information that as of today, three cases were already filed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region V (DENR V) through our field offices against suspects who violated Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.
Aside from the aforementioned case of Buyito Orosco, two other cases were filed, to wit: Criminal Case No. 3024, filed against Nicomedes Balidoy and Arsenio Abanda of Barangay Dapdap, Bulusan, Sorsogon for collecting, hunting and slaughter of hawksbill turtle; and Criminal Case No. 12497 filed against Allan Abordo of Bagasbas, Daet, Camarines Norte for killing a green sea turtle.
Further, Melita G. Aberca, who filed the case against Orosco, is a zoology technician and not a chief of the PAWCZMS, the chief or the regional technical director of the said office is forester Felix Mendoza.
Please rectify this news on your broadsheet’s subsequent issue.
Thank you very much and more power.