Navy operatives seize P1.4-M banned shells

By: Bong Garcia

Sun Star, Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) operatives have intercepted and confiscated a shipment of P1.4 million banned shells in Zamboanga City, an official announced Wednesday.

Commodore Orwen Cortez, NFWM commander, said the shipment of the Trocas shells was intercepted by his men around 1 a.m. Wednesday at a private wharf in the village of Baliwasan, west of the city.

The interception happened following receipt of intelligence report by Cortez's command.

Cortez said the Trocas shells packed in 70 sacks were loaded aboard M/L Kimberbie that dropped anchor coming from Palawan when the cargoes were intercepted.

Aside from the banned cargoes, M/L Kimberbie was also loaded with 21 people, 11 of them are boat crew while 10 are passengers that include women and children, Cortez said.

The Trocas shells can only be found in Tubataha, Palawan, which is declared as one of the protected areas in the country.

The estimated volume of the Trocas shells is 9, 100 kilos as each sacks contain at least 130 kilos, Cortez said.

He said the government banned the gathering of Trocas shells as it is listed as one of the endangered marine species.

"This type of shell has ornamental value. It is used for making buttons for high-end clothing," he said.

Cortez also said the violation of the ban is penalized through imprisonment from 12 to 20 years and with payment of corresponding fine.

The confiscated Trocas shells will be turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for appropriate action while the Navy will pursue against the owner of M/L Kimberbie, Cortez added.

P1.4-M Trocas shells seized at Zambo port

By: Nonoy E Lacson

Tempo, Friday, 12 November 2010

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some P1.4 million worth of banned shells was intercepted at a local wharf here by operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

Commodore Orwen Cortez, NFWM commander, said the shipment of the Trocas shells was intercepted by his men around 1 a.m. Wednesday at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan in this city.

He said the shipment was seized after concerned citizen informed his command on the arrival in this city of the banned shell aboard a motor launch coming from Palawan.

Cortez said the Trocas shells packed in 70 sacks with an estimated volume of 9,100 kilos were

found inside M/L Kimberbie.

Trocas shells can only be found in Tubbataha, Palawan, which has been declared as one of the protected areas in the country. The national government has banned the gathering of Trocas shell as it is listed as one of the endangered marine species.

"This type of shell has ornamental value. It is used for making buttons for high-end clothing," Cortez said.

Violators of the ban face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment with corresponding fines.

The confiscated Trocas shells would be turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for appropriate action while NFWM would pursue charges against the owner of M/L Kimberbie.