As part of a joint operation, the Philippine Coast Guard found the shells, known locally as “taklobo,” on the shores of Sitio Green Island in western Palawan Province, it said in a Facebook post. The transport was worth GBP 1.2 billion (approximately USD 24.8 million).
It is the largest illegal transport of giant shells in the region, according to Palawan Coast Guard commander Commodore Genito Basilio.
The law enforcement team arrested four suspects, accusing them of violating the Philippine Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Article 27 of the law states that it is illegal for someone to “deliberately and knowingly exploit wild resources and their habitats” for several reasons, including the marketing of wildlife or for collection purposes.
Anyone who kills or destroys wildlife species classified as threatened could receive two years in prison or a fine of 20 20,000 ($ 410), according to the Act.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (CSDP), which also participated in the operation alongside intelligence groups such as the Australian Federal Police, said in a statement on Saturday that it had questioned a member of the shellfish group, Rosalee Tequillo.
PCSDS [sic] discussion with Dra. Tequillo has learned that she and her group are engaged in collecting and possessing giant shellfish species for commercial purposes without legal authority, “the statement said.
Tequillo claimed permission from the Philippine president’s office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to collect shells, the PCSD said, adding that Tequillo has no documents to prove this.
The office of President Rodrigo Duterte, BFAR and PCSD did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“A certain group of individuals” spread the false rumor that PCSD and BFAR allowed taklobo collection, PCSD said in a statement on April 13.
Giant shells help maintain marine wildlife by harboring some animals and stopping the overgrowth of algae, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines.
Tequillo also said the suspected group holds a “treasure hunt permit”, but the giant shells are not covered by this, according to the PCSD. He added that molluscs can only be collected for taxonomic purposes and not for trade.
Teodoro Jose S. Matta, the executive director of the PCSD, stressed in a statement on Saturday that the body, which is responsible for regulating the wildlife law in Palawan, will “remain firmly committed to combating illegal wildlife trade.”
In a separate statement released on Saturday, the PCSD called on fishermen and local people to refrain from collecting and trading endangered shells and other endangered wildlife.
This seizure is one of many similar incidents in recent months. Along with the Philippine Coast Guard and other groups, the PCSD confiscated 324 pieces of giant shells worth milioane 160 million on Johnson Island on March 3, following a similar discovery in October.
Philippine National Police and BFAR seized about 50 million pounds of endangered shells on Negros Island in February, according to CNN Philippines.
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