By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The 4th Special Operations Unit – Maritime Group (SOU-MG) seized around 7,000 kilos of fossilized giant clams worth P490,000 at Sitio Ondol Pasil, Barangay Cayhagan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.
The confiscation stemmed from reports of a concerned citizen about the alleged collection of giant clams locally known as “taklobo” which is considered an endangered species.
When the maritime police led by Police Major Don Archie Suspeñe responded along with personnel of Sipalay City Police Station and Bantay Dagat, they confirmed the reports after they saw fossilized and fresh clams displayed outside a house, including sacks of clams.
Police then arrested a man for violation of section 102 (fishing or taking of Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species) para-a of Republic Act 10654 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
He was brought to 4TH SOU-MG for custody prior the filing of charges.
