THE DEPARTMENT of Natural and Environmental Resources (DENR) XI is working with the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation to capture the culprit in the fatal shooting of Philippine Eagle Mangayon.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 16, Atty. Ma. Mercedes Dumagan, DENR XI regional director, said they would file a case against the perpetrator.
“We have been coordinating with the Philippine Eagle Foundation. Within the week there will be a meeting again to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation para sa case build-up. But first, we have to identify the culprit,” Dumagan said.
Mangayon was found in Sitio Bermuda, Barangay Mangayon in Compostela, Davao de Oro. The raptor died from a severe wing injury on July 8.
According to Section 27(a) of Republic Act 9147, illegal acts such as killing and destroying wildlife species will face penalties and an “imprisonment ranging from 6 years and 1 day to 12 years and fines ranging from P100k to P1 million.”
“Panghimata ni sa atoang mga katawhan nga dili nato hilabtan especially ang atong mga critically endangered species like the Philippine Eagle. We really need to intensify our IEC particularly on the barangay level,” she said.
She also revealed that DENR conducted a Communication Education Public Awareness campaign three months before the incident in Barangay Mangayon, Davao de Oro.
She said the Indigenous people community and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Compostela are also helping them through the investigation.
The Philippine Eagle is considered one of the considered specific and iconic wildlife species, followed by the flying fox (bat), dugong, marine turtle, and tarsiers.
