When Lu-Ann and I witnessed the killing of the Black Bittern in the U.P. Lagoon, our first instinct was to learn what U.P.s rules were regarding protection of wildlife and its habitats. But friends, colleagues and even strangers quickly pointed out to us that there is already a national law protecting wildlife: Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Act of the Philippines. RA 9147 applies to ALL wildlife, not just species officially designated as endangered or endemic. RA 9147 defines wildlife as wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated. RA 9147 does not just prohibit killing, it also prohibits the following (among others): 1. collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives 2. gathering or destroying of active nests, nest trees, host plants and the like 3. maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries not covered by the preceding paragraph 4. transporting of wildlife. For members of the media, law enforcement officials and anyone interested, they can read a copy of the Wildlife Act here: lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9147_2001.html I have copy-pasted the section on Illegal Acts below. CHAPTER IV ILLEGAL ACTS Section 27. Illegal Acts. - Unless otherwise allowed in accordance with this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly exploit wildlife resources and their habitats, or undertake the following acts; (a) killing and destroying wildlife species, except in the following instances; (i) when it is done as part of the religious rituals of established tribal groups or indigenous cultural communities; (ii) when the wildlife is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease; (iii) when it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the wildlife; (iv) when it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being; and (v) when the wildlife is killed or destroyed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments. (b) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of wildlife species; (c) effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s) (i) dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife; (ii) squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat; (iii) mineral exploration and/or extraction; (iv) burning; (v) logging; and (vi) quarrying (d) introduction, reintroduction or restocking of wildlife resources; (e) trading of wildlife; (f) collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives; (g) gathering or destroying of active nests, nest trees, host plants and the like; (h) maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries not covered by the preceding paragraph; and (i) transporting of wildlife.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:47:14 +0000
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