Consignee, suppliers of black corals placed under watch list

The government has placed under its watch list the four people implicated in the illegal shipment of P35-million worth of black corals and other endangered marine species. In an order on Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a watch list order against Exequiel Navarro, the consignee of the shipment; Olivia Lim li, proprietress of Li and Lim Trading and shipper of the contraband; Kim Atillano; and Ireneo Penuliar. The order also indicated that it was being issued by the Justice department "motu proprio" (on his own impulse) or on the agency's own initiative. As part of the order, the DOJ instructed the Bureau of Immigration to include the four on the Immigration watch list. The Justice department said the four are being placed in the watch list because they are the subject of several government investigations, including one being undertaken by the Senate. The order is valid for 60 days or two months from the date of issue unless sooner terminated or extended. The watch list order came on the same day the Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed with the DOJ a string of criminal charges against the individuals concerned. In May, authorities from the BOC and the Port of Manila intercepted the shipment containing 163 stuffed hawkbills and green turtles; 21,169 pieces of black corals; 7,340 pieces of Trumpet and Helmet shells and 196 kilograms of sea whips. The items were declared as raw rubber. In its complaint, the BOC said the respondents violated the Fisheries Code of the Philippines (Republic Acct 8550), which bans coral exploitation and exportation; and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Administrative Order 158 that prohibits the gathering, taking, collecting, transporting or possession of endangered species of mollusks. The respondents are also charged with violation of Section 27 of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9147) for the shipment of the contraband. Violation of RA 9147 is punishable by imprisonment of up to six years and a fine of up to P1 million. — LBG, GMA News