OVER P25 million worth of endangered giant clams was seized by law enforcers and military personnel in a buy-bust in Purok Lubi, Barangay Poblacion in Oslob, southern Cebu on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
Arrested was Jagger Gaje Vitorillo, 41, a resident of Purok Lubi.
The suspect yielded 89 endangered giant clams that weighed almost 100 kilos worth P25,290,000.
The operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 Mandaue City Field Unit with the 300th Air Intelligence Security Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7.
Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 7, said they received the information from PAF’s intelligence unit, which was told by a concerned citizen about Vitorillo’s online selling of giant clams.
After they received the tip, PAF immediately contacted the CIDG Mandaue Field Unit.
“The operation stemmed from a report of a concerned citizen that a certain person was selling giant clams online (Facebook),” Dalogdog said.
CIDG then launched the validation together with the Intelligence Unit of PAF. Authorities confirmed the concerned citizen’s tip about Vitorillo’s illegal activities in Oslob and it prompted the operation.
One of the CIDG personnel transacted with Vitorillo through Facebook Messenger and pretended to buy a giant clam where he scheduled the pick-up of the item.
Operatives stormed Vitorillo’s house after they found the giant clam outside the suspect’s house when he accepted the P15,000 boodle money.
Vitorillo will face charges for alleged violation of Republic Act 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 as amended by Republic Act 10654 (Prohibiting the act of selling, exporting possession of giant clams).
Dalogdog added giant clams are included in the endangered marine species and supposed to be protected from being illegally pulled from the waters and sold off.
The confiscated clams were turned over to BFAR 7 for further examination.
Vitorillo has also been placed under investigation to determine whether there are other personalities who conduct illegal selling of clams in Oslob, a tourism destination in Cebu.