Pasay seafood restaurant owner faces raps for serving exotic food

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will file charges against the owner of a seafood restaurant in Pasay City for allegedly serving exotic food, in violation of Republic Act 9147, also known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

In a report to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, DENR-National Capital Region executive director Nilo Tamoria said at least 4.25 kilos of snake skin, snake meat and chopped meat from soft-shelled turtles were confiscated in a raid on Hingyak Delicious Seafood Restaurant conducted last Jan. 30 by joint operatives of the DENR-NCR, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and wildlife enforcement officers of the Pasay City government.

Tamoria said the raid was conducted in response to a request from the show Bitag of TV5, which has been receiving complaints that the establishment was serving exotic food.

He said all the confiscated items were turned over to the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau for safekeeping.

Tamoria said the raid should serve as a warning that the government is determined in its campaign to protect the country’s wildlife resources.

He said collection, hunting or possession of wildlife, their by-products and derivatives without proper permit are considered illegal acts punishable under RA 9147.