TACLOBAN CITY – The governor of Biliran is offering a reward for those who can provide information on the identity of the three poachers who were responsible in the killing of a hornbill.
Those who can provide the identities of the three suspect will receive cash reward from him, Gov. Rogelio Espina said.
The cash reward offered by the governor stemmed from a post from Julius Sabile on his Facebook account where he took photos on the killing of the Visayan hornbill last October 31 in Barangay Libtong.
Sabile said that he asked the men, who used homemade shotgun, not to shoot the bird but they did not listened to him.
He said that he felt bad that instead of helping in protecting and conserving the wildlife there are people who are capable of destroying it.
Gov. Espina asked the public to contact the Provincial Environment and Task Force Kalikasan head if they have information on the identities of the suspects.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources VIII said the Visayas hornbill is one of the identified critically endangered bird species in the country.
It is usually found in the rainforest in the islands of Panay, Negros, Masbate, Guimaras, and Ticao Island.
Visayan Hornbill main diet is fruit but they also eats insects, beetles, ants, and sometimes, earthworms, lizards, and fish.
The DENR added that those who will be found guilty in capturing and killing the critically endangered bird will face a jail time of six years and one day imprisonment to a maximum of 12 years and or payment of fine ranging from P100, 000 to P1 million, as mandated under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
