ABOUT P30 million worth of fossilized giant clams were seized and five persons were arrested in an Air Force-led operation in Cordova, Cebu on Wednesday afternoon, it was reported yesterday.
Air Force spokesman Maj. Aristides Galang identified three of those nabbed as couple George Oldama and Bebing Oldama, and Roweno Tajanlangit. The identities of the two others were still being verified yesterday.
Galang said personnel from the Air Force Field Station, NBI and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources swooped down on the couple’s residence in Barangay Day-as at around 4 p.m.
The team was armed with a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10654 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
Seized during the operation were 90 large, 59 medium-sized and six sacks of small-sized giant clams.
The seized fossilized giants weighed 2,000 kilos, said Galang. A kilo of fossilized class goes for P15,000, he said.
“With the fervent enforcement and effective implementation of the law, similar lawless activities can be prevented,” said Galang.
