5 nabbed for wildlife smuggling

MANILA, Philippines — Five people, including three Filipinos and two Indonesians, have been arrested for attempting to smuggle wild animals in Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Ronald Matinao, kagawad of Barangay Pundaguitan, informed a local PCG substation that a suspicious motorized boat was spotted off the coast of the village on Thursday.

The PCG conducted surveillance activities and intercepted an unregistered motorized boat with five crewmembers on board.

During inspection, the PCG team found 27 wild birds and marsupials in the boat.

The suspects were taken to the police station for questioning. The animals were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for proper disposition.