15 tortoises seized from 2 Chinese

LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Fifteen tortoises were retrieved from the custody of two Chinese who planned to bring those animals to Metro Manila as a wedding gift after they were apprehended by local police here at the Grand Central Terminal yesterday.

Police Superintendent Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, chief of Lucena police identified the two Chinese nationals as Noli Sia, 34, and Willy Tan, 37, businessmen and residents of Merchan St., this city.

Police said that around 3:30 p.m. while the two Chinese were ready to board a bus going to Manila, a concerned citizen called the attention of the Lucena police and informed them that there are 15 tortoises to be brought to Manila.  

Police operatives and members of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), an environmental group immediately arrested them. Police confirmed the veracity of the report and recovered two boxes of tortoises.

The two Chinese nationals are now under the custody of the Lucena PNP and preparing charges in violation of RA 91-47, (Wild Life Resources Conservation and Protection Act).

Sia and Tan said they bought the tortoises at the market to give as a wedding gift to a family friend. – Michelle Zoleta