CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Following recent reports on the illegal collection and trade of geckos (tukos in the local dialect), Maximo O. Dichoso,regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 have warned the public from joining such activities, saying there is no scientific basis that geckos have medicinal properties even as he underlined that violators will face sanctions if caught committing the activity.
The DENR 7 top official stressed that geckos are protected under Republic Act (RA) No. 9147, otherwise known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and, as such, collection from the wild as well as their trade are strictly regulated.
“The law expressly provides that the collection, trade or transport of geckos without appropriate permits from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), which is under the DENR, is punishable by imprisonment and fine.
Specifically, if the technique used in the capture of the gecko is inappropriate, this is punishable by imprisonment ranging from two to four years, and a fine of up to P300,000,” Dichoso said.
The DENR 7 Wildlife Section has already confiscated a total of 15 heads of geckos which have been transported without appropriate permits at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Earlier, DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje issued a statement in light of reports in the Philippines and other Asian countries that geckos are being harvested and sold for their medicinal properties, particularly as aphrodisiac and as a cure for cancer, AIDS, asthma, tuberculosis and impotence.
source: mb.com.ph
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