₱490-K worth of ‘fossilized giant clams’ seized

About 7,000 kilos of fossilized giant clams worth ₱490,000 was seized by authorities at Sitio Ondol Pasil, Barangay Cayhagan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Personnel of the 4th Special Operations Unit - Maritime Group (SOU-MG), led by Police Maj. Don Archie Suspeñe, along with Sipalay City Police Station and Bantay Dagat, responded to a report from a concerned citizen about the alleged collection of giant clams locally known as “taklobo” in the said village.

Upon arriving at the said area, authorities saw piles of fossilized and fresh clams, considered as endangered species of a shell.

A person was arrested for violation of section 102 (fishing or taking of Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species) of Republic Act 10654 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

He was brought to 4TH SOU for proper disposition prior the filing of charges.