They charged the couple for violation of Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, against Chinese businessman Li Yu Ming alias Jo Pring and his Filipina wife Olivia Li.
CIDG-9 chief Senior Supt. Mario Rariza said the case was filed after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) completed the inventory of the tons of corals and shells at a warehouse in barangay San Roque, this city, allegedly owned by the Li couple.
The assorted corals and shells were uncovered in the evening of June 4 by BFAR and CIDG-9 operatives after the owner of Yuscom warehouse rented by the Li couple allowed in “good faith” to inspect the warehouse compound.
Rariza said the inventory conducted by BFAR officials showed that the uncovered corals and shells packed in sacks and carton boxes weighs more than 41 tons.
Of the more than 41 tons, 27,891 kilos are black and red corals and 13,144 kilos are assorted shells—helmet, trumpet and trochus—Rariza disclosed.
The uncovered corals and shells are in the custody of BFAR regional office in this city.
The BFAR officials believed the more than 41 tons of coral and shells that were uncovered were part of the smuggled marine products intercepted in May in Manila port.
Rariza disclosed the hunt for the Li couple continues as the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate remain in effect.
The Senate issued the warrant against them after they failed to attend twice the inquiry that is being conducted by the Senate’s Committee on Environment on the issues of smuggled corals and shells intercepted in Manila port.
The Li couple, who owns the Li and Lim Trading, was identified the as owner of the smuggled corals.
Rariza disclosed that the Li couple, who is into the business of live marine products, has left the city of Zamboanga and gone into hiding.
Mayor Celso Lobregat disclosed that he received an information that Jo Pring has left this city in June 7 and took a connecting flight to another country.
Lobregat revealed that he also received an information that Olivia fled the country through the southern back door. Bong Garcia Jr.
