RESEARCH Page 1 of 2

Help Save The Philippine Eagle Topic

Philippine Eagle Pamana

College of Law Submitted Submiited By: DATE

Environmental Law to: Atty Charme Valle Sept 2, 2015
Talabong
Sherwin C. Lagrama
Ram Aurelio

Objective: Pls provide ,

(e.g To discuss Philippine Eagle Pamana and how Pamanas death affects the wildlife conservation, To reiterate
the actual imposition of RA 9147 for the death of endangered species, etc)

Facts:

After being rescued and have recovered from gunshot

wounds since 2012, Pamana is now flying freely in her
new forest home. She was released inside Mt.
Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. As the nation celebrated the 117th
Independence Day last June 12, 2015. Hence, many
NGO, corporates and PO instituted foundations to keep
Pamana flying free so as help raising of funds to help
increase public awareness around Mt. Hamiguitan,
educate schoolchildren, strengthen enforcement, and
support monitoring by biologists.

Philippine Eagle Pamana is currently doing well in the

forest of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
(MHRWS) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Radio and
satellite telemetry showed that she settled at the north
eastern forest roughly 1.3 km from the release site. Her general demeanor seem to show that she has adjusted comfortably
in her release environment. She is very active and elusive - making it difficult for our biologists to keep up with her.1

However, PEF Biologists and local forest guards found Pamana dead on August 16,
2015 inside Mt Hamiguitan Range in Davao Oriental where the bird was released
over two months ago. Pamana was being monitored since its release last June 12,
2015. Fieldworkers do their monitoring by tracking radio signals from a miniature
transmitter that is harnessed unto its back. Remotely, the bird is being tracked
through an additional miniature GPS satellite transmitter. Around lunch time of
August 10, 2015 the team noticed that the radio signals they were receiving at their
observation post were in mortality mode. This indicates that the unit has not
moved for at least six hours. One of two things might have happened either the
radio unit came off or the bird has died. The team traced the location of the radio
transmitter to find out. After a few days of searching, the team found the
decomposed carcass of Pamana near a creek below the thick forest where she was
released.

Necropsy at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao city showed a 5 mm bullet hole
on the right chest of the bird. A tiny metal fragment believed to be from a shattered
gun pellet was also isolated from the carcass. Dr. Ana Lascano, PEF Veterinarian,
remarked in her necropsy report that the bird could have suffered from gunshot
wound leading to possible trauma 2

1
http://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/article/88/phil-eagle-pamana-update
2
http://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/article/91/pamana-death
RESEARCH Page 2 of 2
Help Save The Philippine Eagle Topic

Philippine Eagle Pamana

College of Law Submitted Submiited By: DATE

Environmental Law to: Atty Charme Valle Sept 2, 2015
Talabong
Sherwin C. Lagrama
Ram Aurelio
This is the consequence of weak enforcement of law that pertain to the protection of wildlife. Though, the law RA 9147 or
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND THEIR
HABITATS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 3 is sufficient but the major
problem is the implementation because many of the authorities are not aware the gravity and penalty of such law. Some of
the fiscals and municipalities are not familiar with the provisions that cause weak punishment to the offender.

According to Dennis Salvador, Executive Director of Philippine Eagle Foundation, during the senate inquiry that:

Half of them actually died as a result of shooting. Shooting, really, is the big problem here and we should really work
towards addressing this, Salvador told the panel chaired by Senator Francis Chiz Escudero.

Salvador said that only two killers were actually prosecuted and fined, and penalized with a slap on the wrist.

Even the force of the law was not considered by the judge. We find it really strange. Then the impact of law to the
community is that the law is toothless. Walang effect, a slap on the wrist, and easy to take, Salvador lamented.

The existing law prescribes a minimum jail term of 6 to 12 years, and a fine of from P100, 000 to P1 million.

And yet when a judge penalizes you with a P 100,000 and jails you instead for six months, we just simply dont
understand that, 4

Furthermore, the govt has insufficient fund to protect the wildlife against extinction. In fact, the forest guards are out of
numbers to patrol a wide hectares of forest. In truth, only one forest guard was deployed to patrol 5000 hectares of forest
which is impracticable taking into account that one guard cant protect and secure the wildlife alone. Hence, wildlife
become vulnerable to destruction due to inadequate protection and weak enforcement of law. Nevertheless, the awareness
of public and preservation of wildlife are not dispense accordingly to familiarize the people and the essential as well as the
benefits thereof.

Recommendation and Conclusion:

The govt should impose RA 9147 strictly to penalize the offender in accordance to law and conduct publication nor
advertisement to familiarize the public that pertains to conservation of wildlife species. In addition thereof, the govt should
appropriate funds to acquire tools and manpowers inasmuch as protection and to uphold the security of our wildlife
species. Nevertheless, educate the public the benefit and the consequence our wildlife animals.bahala kn sis

3
"Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act."
4
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/116922/pamana-killed-due-to-poor-law-enforcement-on-wildlife---philippine-eagle-
foundation