Three Filipinos jailed, fined for possessing green turtle parts

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

KOTA MARUDU: Three Filipinos have each been sentenced to one year in jail and fined RM220,000 for possessing green turtle derivatives, with an additional eight months of imprisonment in default of payment.
Sessions Court judge Akhiruddin Acho handed down the sentence after the trio pleaded guilty to possessing an estimated 865kg of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) derivatives, stored in 39 sacks and 14 boxes.
On Sept 27, 2023, enforcement officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) apprehended them in Sabah waters near Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. The case was then referred to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further investigation and prosecution.
The trio were identified as Erwin Monares Comendo, 39; Rudyzon Darol Infante, 37; and Arnel Meniano Getes, 52.
They were charged under Section 41(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for heavier penalties for possession of fully protected wildlife derivatives.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the successful prosecution was the result of strategic collaboration between enforcement agencies.
"The Sabah Wildlife Department highly appreciates the cooperation and swift action of the Kudat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement officers in thwarting the attempt to smuggle turtle derivatives in Sabah waters.
"This success reflects our continued commitment to protecting endangered marine species, particularly the green turtle."