Consignee in illegal coral shipment shows up for Senate hearing

(Updated 12:38 p.m.) The consignee in the illegal shipment of P35 million worth of black corals and other endangered marine species showed up before the Senate on Monday, almost a week after the chamber cited him in contempt. Exequiel Navarro, the consignee of the shipment, showed up for the day's environment committee hearing after the panel's chairman, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, cited him in contempt for failing to show up during last week's hearing. Zubiri had ordered the Senate sergeant-at-arms to arrest Navarro if he still failed to attend the panel's scheduled hearing on Monday. In May, authorities from the Bureau of Customs (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. Denial During the day's hearing, Navarro reiterated that he was not involved in any illegal operation. "Talagang di ako kasabwat ng mga naglalabas ng kargamento na yan (I am not an accomplice to those responsible for those cargos)," he said. He explained that he did not know that the shipment he signed for contained illegal maritime species, saying he thought the shipment contained raw rubber as declared in the documents. Navarro likewise denied that he was on the payroll of the shipper of the contraband, Li and Lim Trading, or the cargo-forwarding company tapped to transport the illegal shipment, JKA Transport System. The consignee added that it's his first time to encounter Li and Lim Trading. Navarro said that he receives P500 for every cargo released on Pier 15 with him as consignee. "Para magkaroon ng extra pamilya ko (I'm doing this to earn extra money for my family)," he said. Zubiri, however, told the consignee that he is still not excused from assuming responsibility for the shipment. "Ignorance of the law does not excuse anyone," he said during the same hearing. Charges Last Friday, the BOC filed a string of criminal charges against the individuals involved in the shipment, including Navarro. 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 the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (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. As of posting time, the Senate hearing was ongoing. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News