Indonesian, 4 others charged for smuggling bears to GenSan

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines  – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) filed criminal charges yesterday against an Indonesian and four companions for allegedly attempting to smuggle 17 endangered Indonesian bears into the General Santos City port last Monday.

Ruel Divino, chief of the community environment and natural resources office in General Santos, told The STAR that he filed charges before the city prosecutor’s office against Indonesian Ryan Lucas, alias Paparang, 32, as well as Mark John Ordaniza Villaver, Johndee Monacillo Lumukso, Jolito Roa Resare, and Alber Miguel.

They were charged with violation of Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Divino said the five were cornered by policemen and members of the Maritime Group after a chase along the Labangal shoreline in General Santos.

Seized from them were 17 Sulawesi bear cuscus, scientifically known as Ailorups ursinus.

Police said the bears were smuggled out of Indonesia and brought to General Santos on a motorized fishing boat.