A juvenile and critically endangered Visayan hornbill scientific Penelopides panini was seized yesterday from a suspected illegal wildlife trader by the operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office and the Regional Intelligence Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here, and the local police in Angeles City during a buy-bust operation.

According to Laudemir Salac, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) in Pampanga, they received information that a certain Mike Chua was selling a Visayan hornbill through social media, and after confirming it, their team immediately prepared an operation to rescue and save the wildlife.

“Illegal wildlife traders are now becoming smarter and creative by using the internet to sell wildlife and hide this lucrative business from authorities,” he said.

Staff Sgt. Angelito Tungul, an investigator at the Angeles City police station, said during the operation they have arrested the accomplice of Mike Chua, who was identified as Norman Vee Balili, 22 years of age and resident of Barangay Malabanias in Angeles City, for selling wildlife without necessary permit from the DENR.

The DENR and police are now preparing a follow-up operation for the arrest of the mastermind.

Salac said the trading, collecting, hunting, or possessing of wildlife including their by-products is illegal and against wildlife law.

The DENR is now preparing to file criminal charges against the suspect for violating Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Illegal trading of critically endangered wildlife carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and a fine of up to P300,000.

“We are appealing to the public, especially to all netizens to be more vigilant in the social media against online selling of wildlife,” Salac added.

He also appealed to the public to report immediately to the DENR any illegal wildlife selling in their area through their official social media page at @DENRPENROPampanga or hotline no. 0945-368-5303.

The Visayan hornbill is one of the 11 endemic hornbill species in the country and the latest species to be identified as critically endangered due to hunting and loss of habitat. This species is found in the forest area of Panay islands, Negros, Masbate, and Guimaras. (-30-)