ON
🔍
← Back to feed
PHBusiness4 days ago

BOC intercepts smuggled endangered tortoises at Naia

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted 50 live endangered tortoises hidden in the luggage of a Malaysian passenger arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on June 12. The tortoises, identified as Radiated and Indian Star Tortoises, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The BOC coordinated with environmental agencies to transfer the animals to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for custody. The passenger is being held by the BOC for investigation into potential violations of theWild

IMAGE FROM MIAA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday said it has taken full custody of the 50 endangered tortoises recently intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

The tortoises were discovered by customs personnel at Naia on June 12, 2026 after the baggage of a certain Malaysian passenger arriving from Bangkok (Thailand) was flagged during X-ray screening.

“The 50 live Radiated Tortoises, a critically endangered species endemic to Madagascar and highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet trade, were formally turned over to DENR-NCR for evidence processing and documentation,” the DENR said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: BOC intercepts smuggled endangered tortoises at Naia

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“Following the completion of the required procedures, the specimens were subsequently endorsed to the Biodiversity Management Bureau’s Wildlife Rescue Center for proper care, assessment, and safekeeping,” it added.

Meanwhile, the DENR said complaint-affidavits are already being prepared for filing against the owner of the baggage where the tortoises were discovered.

READ: Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from ‘Ninja Turtle Gang’

The passenger is expected to face criminal charges against the involved passenger for violations of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, as well as relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Article continues after this advertisement

DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria, for his part, tagged the successful interception of the endangered animal as a demonstration of “strong inter-agency collaboration” against wildlife trafficking.

“Through coordinated enforcement efforts, we are able to prevent the illegal movement of threatened species and ensure that rescued wildlife receives the necessary protection and care,” Tamoria said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The DENR-NCR then maintained its commitment to the strict enforcement of environmental and wildlife protection laws and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal possession, transport, sale, or trade of wildlife species. /cb

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Read the full article at Philippine Daily Inquirer →
Source document: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

2 reports

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter4 days ago
DENR takes custody of 50 smuggled tortoises found at Naia

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has taken custody of 50 endangered Radiated Tortoises intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). The tortoises were discovered in the baggage of a Malaysian passenger arriving from Bangkok on June 12, 2026. They have been handed over to the Biodiversity Management Bureau’s Wildlife Rescue Center for care and assessment. The DENR is preparing complaint affidavits to file criminal charges against the passenger under Republic Act No. 9147.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on an environmental enforcement action without overtly favoring any political side. It provides factual details about the interception of endangered animals, their transfer to appropriate authorities, and legal actions being pursued. There is no discernible ideological framing or

Official sources cited

  • government Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter6 days ago
BOC intercepts smuggled endangered tortoises at Naia

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted 50 live endangered tortoises hidden in the luggage of a Malaysian passenger arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on June 12. The tortoises, identified as Radiated and Indian Star Tortoises, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The BOC coordinated with environmental agencies to transfer the animals to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for custody. The passenger is being held by the BOC for investigation into potential violations of theWild

Bias read (Center): The article reports on an incident involving customs enforcement and wildlife protection without taking a stance on any political issue. It provides factual details about the interception of endangered tortoises and mentions the legal actions taken against the individual involved. There is no overt,

Official sources cited

  • government Bureau of Customs (BOC)
  • government Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Go to the primary sources (2)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

  • governmentDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
  • governmentBureau of Customs (BOC)