CANTILAN, Surigao del Sur — Three men were arrested after they were allegedly caught illegally hunting wild monkeys while armed with unlicensed firearms during a joint law enforcement operation in the mountainous area of Barangay Magasang, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, on the evening of July 28.
The operation was launched after the Cantilan Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report at around 5:35 p.m. from Barangay Magasang Captain Roniel B. Cuaton, who informed authorities that several armed individuals were allegedly engaged in the illegal hunting of wild monkeys using caliber .22 rifles in Purok 6B.
Responding immediately, personnel of the Cantilan MPS led by PCMS Roldan O. Puerto, under the supervision of PCPT Jovie C. Alngog, Officer-in-Charge of the station, coordinated with Forester Gil M. Hayagan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) Cantilan to verify the report and conduct an enforcement operation.
Upon reaching the area, the joint police and DENR team reportedly caught the suspects in possession of firearms while carrying three recently shot and killed monkeys believed to have been illegally hunted from the surrounding forest.
The arrested individuals were identified only through their aliases as “Yano,” 64, a resident of Purok 8, Sitio Ban-Ban, Barangay Panikian, Carrascal; “Rene,” 26, of Purok 7, Barangay Panikian, Carrascal; and “Lito,” 53, also of Purok 7, Barangay Panikian, all in Surigao del Sur.
Authorities confiscated the following items during the operation:
- Three caliber .22 rifles fitted with scopes, all lacking make and serial numbers;
- Ten rounds of caliber .22 live ammunition; and
- Three dead monkeys believed to have been illegally hunted.
Police said the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights as well as the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act in a language they understood before being taken into custody.
The suspects, along with the confiscated firearms, ammunition, and wildlife specimens, were brought to the Cantilan Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.
Authorities also disclosed that the operating team utilized an alternative video recording device during the apprehension to document the conduct of the operation and ensure transparency.
Investigators are now preparing criminal complaints against the three suspects for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Police emphasized that the illegal hunting of wildlife threatens the country’s biodiversity and ecological balance, stressing that wildlife species play a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
“Our wildlife is an important part of our natural heritage and ecological balance. We will continue to strictly enforce our environmental and firearms laws to ensure that those who destroy our natural resources and violate our laws are held accountable,” the police said in a statement.
Authorities likewise urged the public to become active partners in environmental protection by immediately reporting illegal wildlife hunting and other environmental offenses to the nearest police station or through official hotlines.
The Philippine National Police reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the DENR and local communities in protecting the country’s wildlife resources, emphasizing that preserving biodiversity is a shared responsibility essential to safeguarding the environment for future generations.