3 Men Charged For Whale Shark’s Death

September 26, 2006

Release from: Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer (Philippines)

SAÑGAY, CAMARINES SUR - The local government of this town has filed a criminal complaint against three persons for causing the death last September 7of a female butanding or whale shark, an endangered marine species protected by law.

Brothers Joel and Joy Abetria, owner of the fishing gear and leader of the fishing team, respectively, and Lauriano Encinas, the suspected attacker, were charged for violating Section 97 of Republic Act 8550, which penalizes persons capturing, killing or trading protected and endangered marine species.

Councilor Marjun San Felipe said the local government was forced to include the Abetrias because they refused to give statements surrounding the death of the whale shark.

San Felipe was the first local official to arrive at the beach of the village of Sto. Niño where the female butanding, about 30 to 40 years old, died of a fatal hack wound to the mid-section of its 23-foot long body.

Submitted last Friday to assistant provincial prosecutor Zhelia Monserate-Manrique, the complaint included the testimonies of four witnesses.