The City Government of Cadiz in Negros Occidental has issued a strong condemnation following a brazen act of environmental crime. Unidentified individuals illegally entered the protected Giant Clam Village and killed 33 giant clams on December 25, 2025.
Mayor Condemns Heinous Environmental Crime
In an official statement, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. expressed outrage over the incident. He detailed that the perpetrators secretly accessed the marine sanctuary, forcibly removed the protected clams from their habitat, and callously left the empty shells behind at the site.
Mayor Escalante emphasized that this was not merely a cruel and senseless act. He stated it constitutes a grave violation of both national environmental laws and local ordinances. The mayor framed the poaching as a direct assault on the city's decades-long dedication to marine conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable management of its coastal resources.
P20,000 Reward for Justice
To swiftly bring the culprits to justice, Mayor Escalante announced a P20,000 cash reward. This incentive is offered to any person who can provide credible and actionable information that leads to the successful identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the crime.
"The City Government will pursue the full force of the law against violators," Escalante asserted. "No tolerance will be given to crimes against our marine environment." He added that in response to this incident, monitoring, surveillance, and coordination with law enforcement agencies have been immediately intensified across all of Cadiz's protected marine areas.
A Sanctuary Under Attack
The mayor highlighted the significant symbolic and ecological value of the Giant Clam Village. He described it as a proud symbol of Cadiz City's environmental stewardship and a vital natural legacy intended for future generations of Filipinos.
"Let it be made clear: giant clams are protected species. The Giant Clam Village is a declared marine conservation area," Escalante reiterated. "Any act of collecting, killing, damaging, or possessing giant clams is a criminal offense." He concluded with a powerful message, framing the crime as an attack on the community itself: "Any attack against it is an attack against the people of Cadiz and our shared responsibility to protect our natural heritage."
