ZAMBOANGA CITY: Arrested wildlife
smuggler Olivia Li was released, Friday, Oct. 10, after paying a P4,000 bail
bond, belated reports reaching Misamis News said.
Li was arrested in 2011 for smuggling
of endangered marine species inside two containers amounting to at least P35
million.
She was reported to have fled the
country with her husband, Joe Pring, following the discovery by Customs
officials of the attempt to transport wildlife species illegally.
Last Friday, police confirmed Li’s
arrest in connection with the alleged shipments earlier intercepted at the Eva
Macapagal Super Terminal in Manila.
Li’s release happened three days close
to her court hearing for yet another case filed against her in connection with
the illegal transport of endangered marine species.
According to BFAR, this case is the
confiscation of 41 metric tons of endangered marine species in a warehouse located
here.
BFAR added the P4,000 bail is the
uniform amount prescribed for offenses involving violations of the Fisheries
Code of the Philippines.
It was learned that penalties for
exploitation and exportation of corals under the Fisheries Code range from
P2,000 to P20,000.
The suspect is facing charges for violation
of RA 8550, the Fisheries Code of the Philippines relative to the ban on
exploitation and exportation of sea corals.
The other case, another violation
of the Fisheries Code, is pending with RTC Branch 16 of this city.
Moreover, BFAR lamented the small
bail bond prescribed for such offense has contributed to the nonstop violation
of the Fisheries Code.