DENR affirms commitment vs wildlife crimes

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday vowed aggressive action against poaching and smuggling of wildlife resources.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje made the commitment a year after the agency destroyed five tons of smuggled elephant tusks.

Paje said the country would continue to work closely with the international community to ensure that perpetrators of serious wildlife crimes face a more formidable and coordinated response.

“Exactly one year ago, or on June 21, 2013, the Philippines crushed several tons of seized ivory that led other countries like the United States and China to follow suit,” Paje said.

“We’re proud to have started a global wave of public ivory disposals which send a very powerful signal that governments will not tolerate illegal wildlife trade,” he added.

Last year, the Philippines became the first non-African country to destroy its massive ivory stocks when it crushed five tons of smuggled elephant tusks. The US followed suit in November when it pulverized a six-ton pile of contraband ivory in Colorado.

Immediately after the destruction of the country’s ivory stockpile, the DENR organized the inter-agency Philippine Operations Group on Ivory to ensure that ivory smuggling into the country is properly investigated and wildlife criminals are brought to justice.

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the United Nations Environment Program commended the Philippine initiative.

In January, the Chinese government destroyed over six tons of elephant tusks and ivory products, a move seen as crucial in the global fight against the illegal trade as China is considered the largest market for ivory in the world.

A month later, France crushed more than two tons of seized ivory, making it the first European country to publicly destroy illicit ivory stocks.