Anne Curtis, Dawn Zulueta, other celebrities call for #JusticeforPamana
Celebrities are backing calls to bring justice for Philippine Eagle “Pamana” (heritage or inheritance) who was shot to death just two months after being released into the wild.
Among the celebrities backing the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s campaign are Anne Curtis, Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta and Karylle (Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon).
In a short video posted on Instagram by TV host and animal lover Kim Atienza, Curtis described the incident as “heartbreaking.”
“I want justice for ‘Pamana.’ After reading (about) what happened, it’s so heartbreaking to think that this happened in our own country, (to) our national bird–a bird that’s so full of beauty, strength,” she said.
Atienza, who donated P50,000 of the P200,000 reward money for any information on the people behind ‘Pamana’s’ killing, also posted a video of singer-TV host Karylle.
READ: P200K bounty for info on Pamana killer
The singer said in Filipino that there is a “need to act, be courageous and make wise decisions about the environment because it will be inherited by our children and grandchildren.
#JusticeForPamana I accept the challenge, @iamkarendavila 👍🏼PROTECT OUR PHILIPPINE EAGLES @juliusbabao @iamsuperbianca @phileaglefdn @kuyakim_atienza #Aug212015 👊🏼 #mirrorwriter A video posted by Dawn Zulueta , 🇵🇭 (@dawnzulueta) on Aug 21, 2015 at 1:46am PDT
Pamana was held in captivity for two years after she was found with gunshot wounds in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. She was released back into the wild on Independence Day (June 12) this year.
On August 16, her remains were found inside a protected area—Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in San Isidro, Davao Oriental.
Pamana’s remains had a puncture wound and a metal fragment believed to be gun pellet was retrieved from her body.
Days later, a P200,000 reward was raised for any information leading to the arrest of Pamana’s killer. P100,000 came from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, while Atienza and Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon contributed P50,000 each.
@annecurtissmith wants #justiceforpamana #philippineeagle @phileaglefdn
A video posted by Kim Atienza (@kuyakim_atienza) on Aug 20, 2015 at 11:08pm PDT
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Philippine Eagle is considered a critically endangered specie.
There are only around 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles in the wild and more than half of them are in Mindanao.
Under Republic Act no. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, those found guilty of killing wildlife species may be imprisoned from six to 12 years and may be asked to pay a fine ranging from P100,000 to P1 million.
If the perpetrator was hunting inside a protected area, he will face a six-year jail term and a P500,000 fine.
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