The Cadiz City government in Negros Occidental is offering a P20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who poached 33 giant clams from the protected Giant Clam Village near Lakawon Island.
The clams, part of over 2,000 protected bivalves under CITES, were reportedly butchered for their meat, leaving only empty shells behind.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. condemned the act as “environmental terrorism” and vowed criminal charges against the perpetrators once identified.
Security at GC Ville has been strengthened, with Bantay Dagat operatives now guarding the area 24/7 to prevent further incidents.
Established in 2021, the conservation site has grown under the guidance of caretaker Hereliza Osorio and now hosts four species of giant clams, forming a cornerstone of Cadiz’s environmental protection efforts.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 29, 2025
