GOVERNMENT agents on Saturday intercepted a shipment of Chinese softshell turtles at a cargo warehouse in Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Naia Customs collector Ramon Anquilan said his men from the Export Division led by Rey Gatchalian discovered the cargo containing 123 live turtles and some live eels slated to leave Manila on Friday afternoon.
He said that the shipment bound for Taiwan was discovered when it went through manual examination.
Authorities said the cargo, consigned to Jan Birt Co. Ltd. with office address at 1F-1, No. 178. Sec. 1 Zhengxiao E. Rd. Zhongsheng District, Taipei City, was shipped by 3H enterprises Limited Inc. of 97 Panginay, Guiguinto, Bulacan.
They added that the shipment of turtles originated from the province of Pampanga and have no Department of Environment and Natural Resources permits, a government requirement to the owners prior to exportation of animals.
“These turtles aside from being endemic to China and Taiwan can also be farmed. They are usually harvested for food and folk remedy tonics. However, the continuous consumption and exploitation may cause its extinction,” Anquilan said.
The Chinese softshell turtles can be found on rice fields in Bulacan and Pampanga preying on rats, snakes, insects, and other living things considered as endangered species. Rice plants and other plant life were also included to the reptiles’ diet.
The creatures is one of the delicacies in Taiwan and China, and the market price ranges from US$39 to US$40 each.
Just recently, Customs agents also seized a package bound for Sweden declared as sweet pastries but was found to contain a pit viper, four Philippine Cobra and 10 sailfin lizards, which are considered endangered species.
All wildlife specimens were properly turned over to the DENR, Customs officials said.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña Jr. said that the bureau is also “committed to keeping our environmental resources by protecting our borders from all forms of smuggling and illegal activities.”