Gov't cracks down on online wildlife trade

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government vowed today to go after those involved in online illegal selling of wildlife species.

Ramon Paje, Secretary of Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said the government does not condone any illegal wildlife activities and will not hesitate to take strong action against those involved.

"Those who engage in illegal trade of wildlife, especially those threatened or endangered, could face charges punishable by imprisonment or fine. This applies to everyone, even DENR employees; more so because we are a regulatory agency that oversees the implementation of the country's wildlife law," he said.

Authorities recently arrested in northern Philippine province of Cavite a man named Cardell Macario for selling a juvenile serpent eagle through the social networking site Facebook.

The suspect claimed that he was an employee of the DENR and that he had all the required permits for the bird.

But it was learned that Macario was not connected at all with the DENR, prompting Paje to warn the public against unscrupulous individuals posing as DENR employees and who engage in illegal wildlife activities.