Published on : Tuesday, March 5, 2019
At Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila the reptile was discovered by the customs officials.
In four suitcases they had been packed and travelled tow-hour from Hong Kong on Philippine Airlines’ flight PR 311.
There were rare turtles star tortoise, redfoot tortoise, sulcata tortoise and red-eared slider species in the bag which was abandoned at the airport.
The pictures were uploaded by the customs NAIA team showing the animals were bound with duct tape.
The bureau further wrote that Illegal Wildlife Trading is a violation of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) and RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act).
There will be imprisonment of one year and one day to two years for visitors and a fine of 20,000 pesos to 200,000 pesos.
However, BOC NAIA will be protecting the borders against the importation and exportation of illegal wildlife trade and other prohibited and anti-social goods.
Last year’s report revealed that the customs bureau found 560 animals, including endangered species, smuggled into the Philippines and it included 250 geckos and 254 corals.
This year so far 63 iguanas, chameleons and bearded dragons have already been intercepted.