A collaborative effort between the Coast Guard Intelligence Group Palawan (CGIG-PAL), Coast Guard Station Coron (CGS-Coron), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, District Management Division (PCSD-DMD)-Calamian, and PNP MARIG Maritime Police has yielded a significant victory in the fight against the illegal stocking and collection of fossilized giant clam shells in Coron, Palawan.
During a Joint Law Enforcement Operation (JLEO) conducted along the shoreline of Purok 4, Sitio Payatpat, Brgy. Buenavista, Coron, Palawan, the team uncovered concealed caches of fossilized giant clam shells nestled among banana and coconut leaves near the coast and within a residential property.
This concerted effort culminated in the recovery of approximately 300 pieces, totaling an estimated weight of 5,000 kilograms of the prized fossilized giant clam shell, locally known as “TAKLOBO.
It has been discovered that the shells were obtained through diving and fishing activities in shallow waters, with some acquired from local fishermen for a mere fifty pesos each.
In compliance with Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” PCSD has retained custody of one thousand kilograms of fossilized clam shells for legal proceedings, while the remaining four thousand kilograms are under the temporary care of the barangay.
