DENR Region XI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a joint raid last July 8, 2007 (Sunday) at Sagittarius St., Navarro Subdivision, Lasang, Davao City yielding rare birds and animals purchased from Indonesia.

The animals were seized from a certain Mike Artucilla, a Filipino, along with an Indonesian national Randy Mandumi who served as Artucilla’s interpreter when he purchased the birds and animals from Halmijira, Indonesia. Artocilla claimed that he brought in 142 species consisting of 3 birds of paradise, 100 rainbow lories, 1 black palm cockatoo, 8 triton cockatoos, 4 black lories, a wild boar or javan warty pig , wallaby and salt water crocodile. However, PAWD were able to record 281 heads of birds excluding the pig, wallaby and crocodile.

The said species were humanely disposed of yesterday at the NBI compound using carbon dioxide and were later incinerated at the Quarantine Office in Sasa. The disposal of which was administered by the DENR and the Department of Agriculture-XI (DA) led by Dr. Rafael Mercado, Chief of Livestock Division.

Mercado disclosed that since these seized animals came from Indonesia, they are all

possible carriers of the Bird Flu virus. Indonesia, he said, was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an Avian Influenza hot zone the decision to incinerate the animals was unanimously agreed by the Regional Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) Task Force composed of the DENR, DA and Department of Health (DOH).

Artucilla claimed that they are giving their birds medicines but did not specify whether those medicines are for preventing the spread of the Bird Flu virus.

Artucilla also claimed that he was in a process of securing a farm permit from the DENR last April but decided to complete it after buying the animals. He said that he intends to breed them later on and stop his import business.

The NBI started their surveillance on the property of Artucilla more than a month ago after intelligence information stated that contraband goods consisting of firearms and shabu were being shipped to the property, which is close to the river. The NBI were tipped-off that the cargo was going through the Lasang shoreline from Malaysia and Indonesia.

NBI Agent Excel Hernandez revealed that the unloading of cargoes usually happens between 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. involving two alternating boats. However, Hernandez said they missed the unloading of cargoes during the latest shipment because the tip-off came too late and just proceeded to the house were the raid ensued.

Artocilla admitted that he was involved in trading of such species for two years now and their shipment were made once in every three months. He said that he knows about the risk but does not believe that it should be the cause for alarm.

A case will be filed against Artocilla in violation of Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of the Philippines. Mandumi, meanwhile, is presently under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation-XI. (Jei Agas-DENR XI)