What does government and society do when hunters are documented in pictures of their own with their days catch - dead Philippine wild ducks which are classified as vulnerable? Of course they are prosecuted for violation of the law and jailed, just like Bryan Balaon, a 26-year-old farmer in Bukidnon, who has been sentenced last May 2012 to six years in prison for killing with an air gun, cooking, and eating a Philippine eagle. The eagle is classified as critically endangered with just 90 to 250 pairs left in the wild. (spot.ph/newsfeatures/51191/bukidnon-farmer-who-shot-and-ate-a-philippine-eagle-gets-6-year-jail-sentence) Now, what if the hunters are the incumbent Governor of Ilocos Sur Luis Chavit Singson and his daughter Richelle Louise Singson-Michael, an architect who graduated from the University of the Philippines? (https://facebook/photo.php? fbid=10153342529320508&set=a.10152074837465508.921089.576405507&type=1&theater) Republic Act 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, is clear in its prohibition of collection and hunting of threatened wildlife. DENRs Administrative Order 2004-15 establishes the list of threatened wildlife species. The same Administrative Order states that all species listed under CITES Appendices I and II are included in the prohibition. One of the listed species if the Philippine Duck Anas luzonica. BirdLife International (2013) and IUCN Red List for birds state that this duck is listed as Vulnerable because it is undergoing a rapid and continuing decline owing to extensive over-hunting and the widespread conversion of its wetland habitats. (birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=439, https://facebook/photo.php? fbid=210205822350761&set=a.210205602350783.49023.205574719480538&type=3&theater) The penalty for killing vulnerable wildlife as stated in RA 9147 is imprisonment of two to four years and / or a fine of P30,000 – P300,000 ($750 – $7500). The law further states that unless otherwise allowed in accordance with the Act: it shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully and knowingly exploit wildlife resources and their habitats: collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives. Mere possession of these species, evidenced by trophy pictures posted on websites, is already punishable by law. (pcsd.ph/Related%20Laws/republic_acts/ra9147.htm) Last April 22, 2013, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson admit to Inquirer that, To escape, Singson goes hunting and fishing. He goes for wild ducks in Ilocos Sur. His other hunting grounds are Mindoro, Pampanga, Sweden, Australia and South Africa in June. (lifestyle.inquirer.net/100135/the-secret-to-chavit-singsons-renewed-vitality). The lowly hunter who can barely read or write is prosecuted for shooting an eagle. These people are educated and have access to information about the law, yet they flaunt their hunting and killing like they dont fear prosecution. Do they think they are exempted from abiding the law? Or are they?-WBPP
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 05:31:25 +0000
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