DENR probes bird hunting, cutting of trees in Adams

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has step up investigation on the reported illegal hunting of birds and cutting of trees in Adams, Ilocos Norte, an emerging eco-tourism destination recently declared as the “last frontier of dipterocarp forest.” 

On April 2, personnel of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office based in neighboring Bangui town visited Adams to conduct a probe following netizens’ outrage over a local hunter of Adams, proudly holding up a carcass of a juvenile hornbill with his air gun.

Said photo was captured by tourists who are members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines visiting the area and posted it in a social networking site on March 31.

Aside from the man in photo later on identified as Mikel Dato, son of Adams councilor Julian Dato and also a son-in-law of Adams Vice Mayor Wagner Poking, photos of cut logs and rampant practices of slash and burn in the area were documented by tourists as well. All these were posted online.  

Since March 31, the Adams photos have gathered public outrage over local authorities in the area for their inaction. 

Police Inspector Clemente Ceralde, acting chief of police of Adams town said they sought the help of the CENRO Bangui led by Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Victor Dabalos for appropriate action.

“Some of the residents of Adams are unemployed and have no formal schooling. It’s part of their culture to hunt for exotic birds and animals,” Ceralde said citing an information drive must be conducted to educate more people about environment laws and the provisions of Republic Act 9147 or the so-called Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

The Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act imposes imprisonment of up to four years and a fine of 3,000 to 30,000 for the killing of vulnerable species.

On April 1, the parents of the suspect met with Ceralde at the Adams Police Station saying, “Our son feels sorry about it. We already talked to him and advised him not to do it anymore.” 

According to Mikel’s parents, their son has not finish schooling and is always being lonely. 

The PNP said appropriate charges may be filed against the suspect should there be an official complaint signed by a lawyer.

“It’s sad to see these things happening in a place that is gearing for eco-tourism,” said Mike Lu of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines who told this writer over an exchange of email that his friends Irene Dy and Rob Hutchinson were the ones who went to Adams and took the photographs on March 23 and it is now being shared online.

They also have photos of freshly cut logs visibly seen along the trekking trail leading to Adams various eco-tourism destinations such as waterfalls, cold and crystal clear rivers and the recently declared Adams Wildlife Critical Habitat by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources covering a sprawling 3,250 hectares of old-growth forests including rare collections of flora and fauna.  

“My friends showed the photo to the local police, who just shook his head saying the hunter is the son-in-law of the vice mayor. Whether he is a relative or not, it is sad that our countrymen do not realize the role these birds play in the balance of nature. Hornbills eat fruits of forest trees and spread the seeds far and wide, that is why they are called farmers of the forests. Can our authorities do anything? Should they (we) start an advocacy campaign? If you care about our environment, if you care about the future of our country, please share this photo to everyone you know,” Lu posted this in his Facebook account Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

Lu said that they had already brought the issue to the DENR and a set a meeting on April 4.

“We should start the advocacy to protect the endangered animals in extinction. To teach also the young children and adults to appreciate the animals and nature and not to kill and destroy the nature,” said Vivian Ganaden Dulkiewicz as posted in her account.

Meanwhile, this writer tried to get the comment of the suspect but he cannot be reached as of press time.

Under DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2013-XX signed by Sec. Ramon J.P. Paje, the wildlife critical habitat of Adams is meant to help protect and conserve Ilocos Norte’s “last frontier of dipterocarp forest,” and all floral and faunal species living there. 

Dipterocarps refer to a family of hardwood, tropical trees like mahogany.

The lush forests of the AWCH (Adams Wildlife Critical Habitat) are known to be habitats of threatened species such as the Philippine falconet, Philippine hanging parakeet, Philippine brown deer, Philippine warty pig, as well as jade vines, giant tree ferns, and other dipterocarp trees.

“The DAO will enjoin the participation of all stakeholders from planning to the implementation process, encouraging them to be sustainable in their efforts as they will also stand to benefit the most from the health of the environment,” Paje pointed out in an open statement.

He explained that the involvement of the local government and other stakeholders—who usually rely on both the ecological and economic services that the environment naturally provides—would ensure the area’s viability as habitat for wildlife species even in the presence ecotourism development and other human activities.