Hornbills’ cries foiled smuggling attempt in Sarangani; suspect apprehended

• 25 hornbills were discovered inside cages packed within three suitcases at a checkpoint in Maasim, Sarangani

• Authorities were alerted to the crime by the distinct calls and chirping of the birds

• Six of the smuggled birds were found dead during the transport

• The suspect faces charges for violating the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147) for illegal transport and possession

A brazen attempt to smuggle 25 endangered hornbill birds, concealed inside luggage, was foiled in Maasim, Sarangani, after the distinct calls of the distressed birds alerted authorities at a routine checkpoint.

The incident, which highlights the ongoing threat of illegal wildlife trade, led to the arrest of a male suspect transporting the protected species.

The apprehension took place when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by the suspect was stopped for a standard security inspection at a checkpoint in Barangay Tinoto.

While the inspection proceeded, the subtle, unique calls emanating from the vehicle's cargo—three ordinary-looking suitcases—immediately piqued the suspicion of the officers present.

According to Police Corporal Rolando Zuero, Jr., an investigator from the Maasim Municipal Police Station, the sound of the birds' chirping and calls was unmistakable.

"Parang nadinig nila na huni ng ibon. Nag-ask siya sa driver na i-open ang maleta," Corporal Zuero stated, leading the officer to demand that the driver open the luggage.

Inside the suitcases, authorities made the shocking discovery: 25 hornbills crammed into cages. Tragically, six of the magnificent birds did not survive the stressful and inhumane journey, having succumbed during transport. The surviving 19 birds were immediately seized.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKARGEN (DENR-12) identified the smuggled birds as a mix of writhed hornbills and rufous hornbills, both species protected under national law.

Writhed hornbills, in particular, are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The 27-year-old driver, who hails from Digos, Davao del Sur, claimed he was merely a contracted courier and was unaware of the nature of the cargo.

He told investigators that he had been hired to drive the vehicle and pick up the suitcases in Maitum but had not been informed of their contents.

"Ang sabi lang niya may nag-contact sa kaniya na may renta ng sasakyan. From Digos, pinuntahan niya ditto sa Maitum. Wala daw siyang alam kung ano ang dala niya" Corporal Zuero reported.

However, the suspect was unable to produce any legal transport permits or documentation for possessing the protected wildlife.

He was immediately taken into custody and is now facing criminal charges for violating the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act 9147), which strictly prohibits the illegal transport and possession of wildlife.

The 19 surviving hornbills were swiftly transferred to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, where they will receive the necessary care and rehabilitation before any potential release back into the wild.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated and cruel methods employed by wildlife traffickers and underscores the vigilance of local law enforcement in combating this destructive trade.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, two street vendors in Liloan, Cebu—Grace Arnade and Elma Pepito—donated their entire stock of pancakes instead of selling them. The free food was intended for residents of Cebu affected by the recent powerful earthquake. The vendors entrusted a GMA Regional TV News Team to deliver the goods to the hard-hit areas in the northern part of the province. Their selfless act demonstrated the enduring spirit of "Bayanihan" (communal cooperation) during a crisis.

Still in other news, two suspects caught on CCTV using credit cards of missing Taguig business couple surrender to CIDG. Both were identified after being tracked to Recto, Manila, but later turned themselves in. They claim they unknowingly bought the cards from a scavenger and deny involvement in the disappearance. CIDG pursuing charges under the Access Devices Regulation Act while probing possible links to the case.

Source: KAMI.com.gh