Raps filed vs Ronda councilor, companion over killing of monkey

CEBU, Philippines - Charges were filed yesterday against the councilor of Ronda town and another man who were accused of killing a monkey at an eco-tourism site in Malabuyoc town.

They are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and Republic Act 8294 or the law that prohibits illegal possession of firearms.

During yesterday's inquest proceedings, Councilor Alfredo Villafuerte and Lucino Carreon manifested to waive their right to a preliminary investigation in the illegal possession of firearms case. In other words, they chose not to file a counter-affidavit at the prosecutor's level and  would answer the charges directly in court instead.

PO3 Protacio Tago Jr. told The Freeman that even if the firearms of the two were licensed, they did not have a permit to carry the guns outside their residences.

Prosecutor Jerome Abarca recommended P12,000 bail to each of the respondents for their temporary liberty.

Meanwhile, Tago said that because the two were not caught in the act of killing the monkey, the case for alleged violation of RA 9147 will undergo regular proceedings wherein Villafuerte and Carreon will be made to answer the charges  at the prosecutor's level.

On Monday, the respondents were arrested by the Malabuyoc police after they allegedly shot the monkey in Sitio Mainit, Montaneza, Malabuyoc.

The police recovered from their possession a M-34 Armalite with 36 rounds of ammunition and a 22 Armscor Magnum rifle with five ammunitions.

The Malabuyoc police along with the town mayor proceeded to the area after receiving reports of men hunting wild animals there. Villafuerte and Carreon were found with the dead monkey placed inside a sack.

The town and the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 have developed the site into an eco-tourism destination. – (FREEMAN)