LGUs may be part of illegal coral trade – Lacierda

Some Local Government Units (LGUs) may have “tolerated" illegal coral trade, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing Thursday at the Palace. The corals, which came from the municipal waters of Zamboanga, would not have been subject to illegal trade without the knowledge of the LGUs, he added. On May 11, two 20-foot container vans containing stuffed marine turtles, black corals and seashells were seized by the Bureau of Customs.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Environment Secretary Ramon Paje has already asked the administration to look into the possible involvement of LGUs. However, Paje did not say what consequences the LGUs that may be found to have been involved in the illegal trade may face, said Lacierda. He clarified that while the corals are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Paje asked Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to hasten action on illegal coral trade. Lacierda said that on Friday, a case will be filed against the traders of the seized corals based on the affidavit of Exequiel Navarro, the consignee who signed for the shipment. On Wednesday, Senate environment committee chairman Juan Miguel Zubiri cited Navarro in contempt for failing to attend the hearing on the illegal shipment. Navarro was supposed to blow the whistle on the illegal coral trade but told Zubiri at last minute that he wouldn’t be attending the hearing because he lacked the evidence needed to pin down those involved. Meanwhile, the Customs of Bureau on Wednesday said that it will be filling a case against Navarro for violating Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection act.