BACOLOD City — The local government unit (LGU) of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental is offering a P20,000 cash reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the poaching of 33 giant clams inside the city’s protected Giant Clam Village (GC Ville) near Lakawon Island in Barangay Cadiz Viejo.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. strongly condemned the incident, describing the act as a form of “environmental terrorism,” noting that GC Ville is the city’s flagship project for environmental protection and marine conservation.
Aside from the cash reward, Escalante assured the public that the city government would take decisive steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Under Republic Act No. 10654, which amended the Philippine Fisheries Code, individuals found guilty of poaching or killing protected marine species may face criminal liability and fines ranging from P300,000 to P3 million, among other penalties.
“You gave us the hardest lesson. We will give you the hardest retribution,” Escalante warned the perpetrators.
The mayor expressed deep disappointment over the loss of the 33 giant clams, emphasizing his strong advocacy for their reproduction and conservation.
The incident was discovered on Christmas Day, December 25, when authorities found empty shells inside the protected area.
“It was painful to learn about the incident. It was a bad Christmas gift for Cadiz. I cannot understand why some still choose to become sea criminals and harm these marine treasures,” Escalante said.
In response, he said stricter security measures have been put in place, with Cadiz’s sea wardens, or Bantay Dagat operatives, now guarding GC Ville around the clock.
The 33 giant clams, classified as protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), were part of the 2,449 giant clams inhabiting the 9.2-hectare GC Ville, which the city government has declared a protected marine area.
Authorities said the unidentified poacher or poachers forcibly removed the giant clams from the site, extracted their meat, and left behind the empty shells./PN
