DENR closes Zambo Sur trek site, probes cockfighting in protected area
The crowd yells as a cockfight unfolds inside a protected area in Tigbao town, Zamboanga del Sur, where loud noises are prohibited to not disturb the wildlife. Photo screen grabbed from Ivy Trasporte’s post.
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Zamboanga Peninsula region announced the temporary closure to trekkers of Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape (MTPL) in Tigbao town, Zamboanga del Sur province.
This developed as the agency is set to investigate the viral video of a cockfighting activity conducted near Lake Maragang inside the protected area.
The viral video, uploaded by a certain Ivy Trasporte on her social media account on Thursday, showed a crowd watching and yelling as a cockfight was in progress a few meters from the lake.
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DENR-9 Regional Executive Director Arturo Fadriquela announced in an advisory released on Friday afternoon that they were deeply concerned about the cockfighting incident caught on video and widely circulating online.
He added that they immediately initiated a formal investigation on the incident, giving assurance that “if warranted, this office will not hesitate to file appropriate charges against those responsible.”
The DENR official also announced that the protected area superintendent was relieved of his functions pending investigation being conducted on the matter.
Before entering the protected area, tour guides orient visitors on the guidelines while inside the area, including prohibition from disturbing the wildlife, including loud activities./mr
