The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday the seizure of 34 sacks of illegally collected stems of the threatened Philippine bantigue, a plant species (Pemphis acidula) popularly used in creating bonsai.

Bonsai refers to the Japanese art of cultivating plants to make them look like miniature trees.

A composite team led by the DENR’s Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (Task Force POGI) raided on 09 August a house in Barangay Umiray in General Nakar town, Quezon Province.

Confiscated during the raid were the sacks of bantigue amounting to P300,000. Six of the bags contained freshly cut bantigue stems while the rest contained dried stems used as raw materials for accessories and as firewood.

DENR is also mulling slapping Fabros with a case for violating Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

According to DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, the recent operation underscored the government’s seriousness in stopping the illegal wildlife trade which is pushing some wild animals and plants to the brink of extinction.

“We will continue to hunt those who use our natural resources for illegal purposes and for their own selfish interests,” Cimatu stressed.

The DENR chief said his men had already filed charges against the bonsai trader, Pedrito Fabros, 39, for violating RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The law prohibits the collection, selling and transport of threatened species with penalties of imprisonment up to six years and a fine of up to P200,000.

DENR is also mulling slapping Fabros with a case for violating Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines as bantigue is mangrove that falls under that law.

Bantigue is also listed in DENR Administrative Order 2017-11 under category of threatened Philippine plants and for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Joining POGI operatives in the raid were enforcers from the DENR Task Force Metro Manila, Environmental Crime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation, DENR-Calabarzon regional office and the community environment and natural resources offices in Dingalan, Aurora and Real, Quezon.