The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in coordination with different local and international agencies, started crushing over five tons of smuggled ivory tusks at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City on June 21, 2013.
The controversial ceremony was meant to signify that the Philippines is serious about fighting the illegal ivory trade. But many Filipinos opposed the move and said that the tusks should be put in a museum or sold to fund public services like schools.
Coconuts Manila photographer Veejay Villafranca was on hand in Quezon City last Friday to document the tusk destruction.
Reader Interactions