A Russian national was charged on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly killing an endangered Green Sea Turtle in a marine sanctuary in Masaplod Sur, Dauin town in south Negros Oriental.
State news site Philippine News Agency reported that the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office charged Anton Likharev, 35, Vladivostok Russia, for killing the turtle.
He’s being held at a local police station with a bond of PHP40,000 (USD900).
According to police reports, around 9:50 am, member of local environmental organization “Bantay Dagat” (Sea patrollers) Froilan Bantayanon saw Likharev inside of the marine sanctuary.
At first, Bantayanon thought the foreigner was just taking underwater photographs but saw Likharev pull out something that looked like a spear.
Bantayanon told police that he saw the foreigner get out of the water bringing something that was concealed in a towel.
Bantayanon approached the foreigner and removed the towel to find the Green Sea turtle with a spear lodged in its head.
The turtle weighed 9 3/4th kilos.
Bantayanon said he introduced himself to the suspect and confiscated the spear gun and the dead turtle.
The fish warden reported the incident to the town mayor who ordered police to go to the scene.
When interviewed by the police, the Russian national claimed he was aiming for afish when he accidentally killed the turtle, who he didn’t see resting among the corals.
Likharev faces charges of violating laws criminalizing poaching of an endangered species
He faces fines of up to PHP5 million (USD100,000) and imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years.
