KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reiterated its appeal to the public to help preserve and protect endangered wildlife in the region.

Felix S. Alicer, regional executive director of the DENR in Region 12, highlighted the importance of preventing the capture of any wildlife, including tarsiers (Tarsius scrichta), and impinging on their natural habitat.

Let us make sure that the safety and well-being of these species are protected from any human encroachment or activity, said Alicer.

The DENR also encouraged the public to report any sightings of wildlife or incidents of human intrusion in any protected area in the region to the nearest DENR office or authorities.

“Kung sakaling maka-encounter sila ng mga [if ever they encounter those] wildlife, surrender immediately to the nearest DENR,” said Alicer, adding the call includes those abuses and maltreatments of any protected species, as they will be dealt with accordingly. 

Recently, the DENR in the region filed a case against two video bloggers, or vloggers, from Polomolok, South Cotabato, after it was discovered that they had disturbed and maltreated a tarsier housed in a protected sanctuary in Polomolok.

The duo went viral on social media for posting a video showing how they captured and mishandled a tarsier.

Seeing the video, the DENR swiftly took appropriate action by filing a criminal case against the vloggers “for violation of Section 27, paragraphs (f), and (h) of RA 9147, or the Wildlife Act of 2001, in relation to Section 20, paragraphs (a), and (b) of RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038, known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 2018.”

The DENR lamented the maltreatment of the tarsier while also admitting that the incident has shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by wildlife and endangered species and the critical need for massive public awareness.

DENR said they are currently intensifying efforts to promote wildlife and endangered animal protection in the region through educating communities about wildlife preservation and protection and corresponding governmental laws.   

“I am calling on the public to help the DENR protect and preserve this wildlife species and our environment,” Alicer said.

The Philippine tarsier is the second-smallest primate in the world, native to the forests of Mindanao, and was classified by DENR as the other threatened species (OTS).

According to the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, sightings of tarsiers in communities indicate that the habitats of these wildlife animals are disturbed.

DENR data showed that tarsiers are occasionally seen in Sarangani, in South Cotabato, and in the mountainous parts of Cotabato.

The agency reiterated that possession of wildlife and endangered species without a permit is punishable under Republic Act 9147, known as the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Prevention Act.” (AMB - PIA Region 12)