Philippines ramps up online crackdown on illegal Indonesian parrot trade
In July, conservationists and law-enforcement agencies gathered in several Philippine cities to coordinate a response to the rising online trade of illegal Indonesian parrots, a practice that also threatens public health.
In early July, the Haribon Foundation organized meetings with wildlife and law-enforcement officers in Quezon City, Davao and General Santos City to strengthen efforts against the illegal cross-border trade of Indonesian parrots. Dr. Esteven Toledo of the DENR-BMB explained that traditional market hubs such as Cartimar have vanished, and the main challenge now lies in online trafficking, which also endangers public health by avoiding mandatory health inspections.
Participants included the Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, DENR-BMB and other agencies, focusing on coordinated seizures, prosecutions and deterrence. Rjay Serrano of Haribon highlighted that collaboration leads to more confiscations and convictions. The initiative, part of Haribon’s "Tackling Cross-Border Bird Trade" project, gathers trade data, supports enforcement, raises awareness, and aligns policies with Indonesia’s Burung Indonesia, backed by BirdLife International, March Conservation Fund and Mandai Nature.
