Bird hunter arrested for shooting ducks in Candaba

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    Children look at the 11 Philippine wild ducks, their wooden decoys, and the shotgun and bullets used to kill the birds. Photo by Ding Cervantes

    CANDABA , Pampanga– An alleged professional bird hunter from neighboring Bulacan was arrested by the police here last Sunday after he admitted shooting dead 11 Philippine wild ducks, locally known as “dumaras”, in Barangay Pangclara in the vast Candaba swamp here.

    The area now hosts thousands of migratory birds from other countries, a major tourist attraction here at this time of the year.

    Local police chief Supt. Henry Flores identified the suspect as Herbert Jacobe, married, and a resident of Barangay Upig, San Ildefonso in Bulacan.

    He was charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Conservation and Protection Act.

    Danilo Clemente, eco-system management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said conviction could lead to two to four years imprisonment and a maximum fine of P30,000 to P300,000 for each of the birds.

    Flores said the police were alerted by folk living near the vast swamp who heard a series of gunshots from the area of Sitio Perlas in Barangay Pangclara here.

    Responding cops went to the area and caught Jacobe with 11 dead ducks and one more which was severely injured. The suspect’s wife and two children were also with him, as they were reportedly also having picnic at the site.

    Jacobe also had 12 wooden decoys and two bird call whistles that produced the sound of ducks, apparently used as props to attract live ducks to where he positioned himself.

    Also in his possession were one Akkar shotgun with serial number 9151152, 15 pieces 12GA live ammunition, nine pieces 12GA empty shells and, four pieces shotgun choke.

    Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the arrest of Jacobe “should send a strong message to others that we are serious in enforcing the law against environmental violators.”

    Pelayo revealed that a last count placing “dumaras” here at only 5,000 to 6,000 which, he noted, is significantly lower than in the past years when they number by the tens of thousands.

    Witness Joren Dela Cruz, a fishpond caretaker in the area, said he had seen the suspect hunt in the same place in the past and had even warned the suspect that he was violating the law.

    The suspect reportedly admitted shooting the ducks, but insisted they were for personal consumption.

    He also admitted ownership of the items police found with him, including the shotgun which, he said, was bought from a store at the SM Megamall in Manila.

    Pelayo said his town will be celebrating the 5th year of Ibon-Ebon Festival on February 1 to 5 to attract tourists to the Candaba swamp which hosts tens of thousands of migratory birds here especially every February.

    He said the festival has also been a boost to local industries.

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