The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Saturday vowed to launch a more aggressive action against poaching and smuggling of wildlife resources.
In a news release on Saturday, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the agency will continue working with the international community to push forward the campaign and ensure the protection of wildlife and natural resources.
“Exactly one year ago, June 21, 2013, the Philippines crushed several tons of seized ivory that led other countries, like the United States and China, to follow suit,” Paje said.
“We’re proud to have started a global wave of public ivory disposals, which send a very powerful signal that governments will not tolerate illegal wildlife trade,” he added.
According to Paje, the move not only deters poachers and smugglers but also educates the public on the importance of not patronizing illegal wildlife consumerism.
He also said the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory, which was organized after the destruction of the stockpile last year, continues its crackdown against ivory smuggling.
In June 2013 the Philippines became the first non-African country to destroy its ivory stocks worth P400 million.