Combined operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Bagac and Dinalupihan, along with the Special Action Provincial Mobile Force and the 303rd Maritime Police Station of the Philippine National Police (PNP) nabbed suspected wildlife hunters in the province of Bataan.

DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. reported that the joint operation resulted in the apprehension of 12 dressed endangered large flying fox (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘴), three 22-caliber hunting rifles and a riding vehicle from Roberto Acuña, 54 and Carmelito Bringula, 62, all residents of Orani town.

Meanwhile, another group of authorities led a buy-bust entrapment operation in the same town and seized three live illegally possessed large flying foxes from Mariano Nuguid, 62.

"The collection of wildlife, including its by-products and derivatives, shall be allowed only for scientific, or breeding or propagation purposes in accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” Moreno explained, noting that Section 23 of the said Act states that only accredited individuals, businesses, research, educational or scientific entities are allowed to collect wildlife, provided that the collection does not cover threatened species.

The DENR has already filed criminal charges against the suspects for violating Section 27 of the Republic Act No. 9147, which imposes a penalty of a maximum of P500,000 fine, exclusive of the damage value of wildlife, and a maximum of six years imprisonment.

While the trial is ongoing, bat carcasses are preserved as physical evidence. Three rescued live bats were transferred to the custody of CENRO Dinalupihan for proper care before their release to the Roosevelt Protected Landscape and Seascape.

According to DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, otherwise known as the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories, large flying foxes are classified as endangered species.

Based on the 2022 Biodiversity Monitoring System report of the DENR here, 158 sightings of endangered large flying foxes are recorded in Bataan.

The three-layered virgin forest of Subic Bay and Bataan homes the giant flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and the golden crown flying fox. Over the years, these two species of giant fruit bats have roamed the 10,000-hectare Subic Watershed and Forest Reserve, which is among the world’s largest roosting sites for bats.

According to studies, bats play a significant role in the environment and tourism by aiding the natural reforestation of the forest areas within its environment. Fruit eating bats serve as one of the top pollinators in the wild contributing more than 200 billion dollars globally through their ecosystem services while their insect eating species help fight pests that can damage crops and spread diseases.

The DENR warned the public that any person found involved in illegal wildlife hunting and trading shall be penalized under existing environmental laws, rules and regulations.

Monitoring and patrolling activities, as well as public information initiatives, are likewise in place to protect wildlife and biodiversity in the region from any threat and illegal activities. (-30-)