Monkeys and mynah recovered from illegal wildlife traders. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – An Army reservist and his civilian cohort engaged in online selling of wildlife were arrested Thursday afternoon in an entrapment set by elements of the Regional Maritime Unit 3, Olongapo City Maritime Police Station, and the Morong police in Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan.
RMU-3 chief Col. Fernando L. Cunanan, Jr. identified those arrested suspect as Sergio Carlo Guinto y Marcelo, 35, member of Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Enlisted Personnel and resident of Barangay Vicente, Sta. Rita, Pampanga; and Vicente Angelo Visda y Tolentino, 32, of Barangay San Nicolas 1st, Lubao, Pampanga.
Report said the entrapment operations was preceded by several days of “cyber patrolling” the activities of suspect Guinto on an online buy-and-sell store named “Cabalen Native Manok, Bibe, Baboy, Kambing etc.”
The subsequent transaction was done through “chat conversation in cyber media application (messenger).”
Recovered from the suspects were two juvenile Philippine monkeys and one coleto mynah bird.
According to Guinto, one Philippine monkey sells for P3,000 while a pair for P5, 000.
Investigation revealed that Guinto was using his position as Army reservist in his illegal wildlife trade.
The suspects, along with the recovered wildlife, were brought to the Olongapo City MARPSTA for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said they will face charges for violation of RA 10175 (Cyber Crime) in relation to Chapter IV, Sec. 27 para (f) of RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) and RA 379 Usurpation of Authority).
