THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Saturday that authorities intercepted 34 wildlife species at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
In a statement, the BOC said a female passenger arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, at the Naia Terminal 2 on December 6, attempted to bring into the country 20 lizards, four snakes and 10 moss frogs.
A customs x-ray inspector, Angel Aboloc, scanned the luggage of the passenger.
“The wildlife species found in shoe boxes inside the luggage of the passenger were immediately turned over to the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and were brought to the Biodiversity Management Bureau in Quezon City for proper identification, care and protection,” the BOC said.
The BOC added that importation of wildlife species without the required permit or clearance from the DENR is a violation of the Customs Modernization Tariff Act in relation to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
The BOC continues to strengthen its coordination with other regulating agencies to secure the Philippine borders and protect the environment from illegal wildlife traders, illegal entry of drugs and other prohibited goods, among others.
A bill is pending in Congress to revise RA 9147.