The Philippine National Police has arrested two individuals for illegal wildlife trading in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and rescued a protected Philippine long-tailed macaque in Cagayan, PNP Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said Wednesday.

Nartatez said the operations were carried out by the PNP Maritime Group in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other law enforcement units, in compliance with Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

On 1 February 2026, at around 8 a.m., personnel of the Regional Maritime Unit 2 conducted a wildlife rescue operation in Cagayan after a concerned citizen voluntarily surrendered a Philippine long-tailed macaque upon learning that unauthorized possession of wildlife is prohibited by law. The animal was secured and prepared for proper turnover to DENR authorities for rehabilitation.

The following day, at about 10:55 a.m., the Ilocos Norte Maritime Police Station led an entrapment operation in Barangay San Simeon, Curimao, with assistance from the Pasuquin Maritime Law Enforcement Team, Curimao Police Station, and DENR CENRO Laoag City. One suspect was arrested for selling wildlife in violation of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9147.

Later that evening, at around 8:05 p.m., Ilocos Sur maritime police conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Ayusan Norte, Vigan City, together with local police and DENR CENRO Bantay. Authorities arrested another suspect, identified by the alias “Fed,” for allegedly trading wildlife through online transactions in violation of Section 27(e) of Republic Act No. 9147 in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

All rescued and confiscated wildlife were turned over to DENR for proper custody, while the arrested suspects and seized evidence were brought to their respective maritime police stations for documentation and legal proceedings.

Nartatez said the operations reflect the PNP’s commitment to environmental protection under its Makakalikasan (Pro-Environment) core value.

“Environmental protection is essential to national security because the health of our ecosystems directly affects communities and future generations. Mahalaga na maprotektahan ang wildlife upang mapanatili ang balanse ng kalikasan at kabuhayan ng mamamayan,” he said.

“The PNP will continue to intensify enforcement against wildlife crimes and pursue offenders who attempt to profit from protected species. Hindi kami titigil sa paghahanap at pag-aresto sa mga sangkot sa ilegal na bentahan ng wildlife,” Nartatez added.

He said the operations are part of the PNP Focused Agenda, which aims to strengthen police service through enhanced operational management, inter-agency coordination, and community participation in reporting environmental violations.

Under the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the PNP will continue its intensified drive against wildlife trafficking and environmental crimes, Nartatez said.