DENR asked: Check display of Tarsiers

The continued inaction of government authorities on the commercial display of the Tarsiers again caught public attention as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urged to review wildlife registration certificates issued to tourism establishments here.

As new reports surface on the maltreatment of caged and captive tarsiers, Environmental Legal Assistance Center (Elac) executive director Raul Barbarona called on the DENR to review all certificates of wildlife farm permits it issued to business establishments especially in the towns of Loboc and Loay.

“Since the issuance of the permits is legally binding on the part of the permittees, then there should be a legal process for its revocation based on documented violations,” Barbarona said.

The DENR should likewise check whether these establishments holding captive tarsiers are observing the guidelines contained in the DENR certifications, such as their technical capabilities to hold captive the threatened species.

After an incident occurred between a tourist and a Cebu-based tour guide who allowed his guests to poke and force-feed the tarsiers in one establishment in Loboc, the issue regarding the permittees’ capability to hold the tarsiers in its possession has died down without any recommendations coming from the DENR.

Barbarona received reports that tourists visiting tarsier viewing sites in Loboc continue to hold the tiny species and even use camera flash when taking pictures within a close distance from the tarsiers.

According to Barbarona, instead of correcting and monitoring these reported incidents, “the DENR seems to be paying no attention on this unrestrained abuse”.

For his part, provincial board member Alfonso Damalerio II, principal author of an ordinance prohibiting the display of tarsiers outside its natural habitat, said the implementation of the provincial measure is already an executive prerogative.

There have been reports that the ordinance remains inutile as the executive has not crafted its implementing rules and regulations.

Barbarona said, the provincial government should check whether the DENR has issued new wildlife farm permits and ensure that compliance with the permit’s guidelines is followed.

HOTEL OWNER'S MURDER SUSPECT: Hired assassin or fall guy?

• CIDG says documents on suspects in order

By KIT BAGAIPO

The alleged gun-for-hire tagged in the killing of the owner of Via Bohol Tourist Inn blasted police investigators yesterday claiming he is a "frame-up" victim.

As the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Dagohoy prepares its nine witnesses for today's preliminary hearing at the City Prosecutor's Office, the alleged hired gunman said police operatives are just looking for fall guys to have an immediate closure on their investigation.

Via Bohol owner Victoriano Taray, 48, was gunned down by a lone suspect in the early morning of March 12, 2009 after hearing mass at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in barangay Ubujan, this city.

Named respondents in the murder case filed by the CIDG are Aurelia Taray alias Au-au, the wife of the victim; Arnaldo Sarto alias Bogs of barangay Atchila, Ubay; and Renato Sabalande alias Rene, a resident of Poblacion Dagohoy.

Based on corroborating statements of witnesses, Sarto was the alleged triggerman contracted for the slay job by the victim's wife through Sabalande for a sum of P150,000.

All three accused are still at large while the Bohol Police Provincial Office is said to be providing tight security to the witnesses during today's hearing at the Hall of Justice, this city.

"POLICE SET-UP"

Sarto, the suspected gun-for-hire, called up the Chronicle yesterday lambasting police investigators as he denied any involvement in Taray's murder.

He said the police should dig deeper into the case and correct the injustice of pointing to him as the fall guy.

According to Sarto, he does not know Aurelia or any plot perpetrated to kill the latter's husband.

The suspect disclosed he will be consulting a police official regarding his predicament but will remain in hiding until the CIDG will conduct an honest investigation.

PNP CHIEF'S ORDER

In an interview with the Chronicle, Chief Inspector Germano Mallari, CIDG-Bohol chief, said their investigation was in order.

Mallari pointed out that identifying the suspects through their witnesses was a result of diligent and careful police work.

The police official admitted that the case got the attention of PNP Director General Jesus Versoza after the mother of the victim wrote the former regarding the status of the case.

It was upon Versoza's direct orders that the investigation was turned over to the CIDG from the City PNP.

"STRONG CASE"

C/Insp. Mallari is confident that they have built a strong case against the three suspects.

The criminal complaint filed by the CIDG is buttressed by 11 affidavits of witnesses.

However, only three of which linked the wife of the victim with regards to her supposed participation in the crime.

The preliminary hearing will be conducted by City Prosecutor Alberto Rara this afternoon.

Parents of dead 2-month old girl seeks help of NBI

By KIT BAGAIPO

Shortly after her death, 2-month old Creslyn Lamoste allegedly lost her heart at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital (GCGRH) during an autopsy even as the infant's parents claimed they did not allow it.

In an interview with the Chronicle, the child's father Cresencio Lamoste said they confined their daughter at the GCGRH last September 21 due to pneumonia. But she died two days later.

According to Cresencio, the attending physician she identified as a certain Dr. Nagulada allegedly informed them that the hospital will conduct an autopsy.

Knowing their child died of pneumonia, Cresencio and the child's mother Adeline Gonzales at first refused the doctor's request but eventually agreed after they were told it was the hospital's policy.

The doctor allegedly told the parents that the hospital will refuse to admit any other member of their family if they do not agree to the procedure.

Reporters of station dyRD tried to get the side of Dr. Nagulada the past two days but to no avail.

In a separate interview with Dr. Edgar Pizarras, information officer of GCGRH, he said the management of the hospital will verify the case and conduct an investigation.

Pizarras did not say whether it was indeed a policy at the said government hospital to conduct autopsies even when the patient's relatives did not request for such procedure.

The parents discovered that doctors at the GCGRH took the child's heart when they brought her lifeless body for embalming at the Rodan Funeral Homes in Poblacion Calape town.

The embalmer, Jelfon Dano, was the one who discovered that the organ was missing when he tried to re-stitch the opening at the chest of the infant.

Both Cresencio and Adeline were shocked and enraged to learn that the child's heart was taken by doctors without their knowledge.

The couple reported the incident at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional office in Cebu City.

They said, they just want to seek justice for what has been done to their daughter.

Dr. Pizarras said the GCGRH will issue a statement once investigation can be conducted.