Authorities arrested five individuals, including two Indonesians and three Filipinos, in Davao Oriental on November 28 for allegedly transporting endangered birds and wildlife.
The Coast Guard Sub-Station in Governor Generoso acted on a tip from a barangay official about a suspicious motorized banca spotted about three nautical miles off Barangay Pundaguitan.
The Coast Guard intercepted the vessel, finding several illegally transported animals, including 27 Moluccan cockatoos, 21 rainbow lorikeets, 26 red lories, and several marsupials, such as northern and common spotted cuscus.
The suspects were turned over to local police for inquest proceedings and may face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act (Republic Act 9147).
In the meantime, the confiscated wildlife has been handed over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for proper care and safekeeping.
The motorized banca, along with other evidence, is now in the custody of the local Coast Guard for further investigation.