13 bird hunters fall in Samboan town

CEBU, Philippines - Thirteen bird hunters were arrested Wednesday in Barangay Monteverde, Samboan for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec gun ban.

Criminal complaints were filed yesterday before the provincial prosecutor’s office against Rey Campaña, 40; Salvador Solon, 57; Michael Macasero, 45; Wellington Manreal, 45; and Eduardo Latonio, 73, all of Barangay Poblacion I, Carcar City. Roger Del Rosario, 55; Alexis Duarte, 29; Janres Atillo, 27; Jeramil Alegrado, 21; Elmer Alegrado, 40; Mark Gabonada, 24; Anthony Kent Rojo, 18; and Adriano Quizon Jr., 57, of  Poblacion 3, Carcar City.

Members of Samboan police station confiscated 12 air guns with telescope and five hunting knives from the suspects.

The police received information of the presence of armed men in Barangay Camburoy, Samboan last Wednesday. Operatives were immediately dispatched to check on the information and found the suspects already in Sitio Calinawan, Monteverde.

During interrogation, the suspects said they were just hunting for birds and are not criminal elements nor goons of politicians in the area.

In fact, assorted birds were confiscated from them for which they will be fined P2,500 for each catch. Samboan is considered a bird sanctuary under the Sangguniang Bayan Resolution 390 series of 1990.— /FPL (FREEMAN)