A man allegedly involved in selling endangered bird species was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Misamis Oriental.

The Misamis Oriental Maritime Police Station arrested the 37-year-old man from Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro for allegedly selling a talking mynah bird, which is considered as endangered species in the Philippines.

Police said movements of the suspect were being monitored for quite some time.

“May transaction through sa computer social media na magkikita sila and then na-meet nila yung kanilang transaction. So ayun na yung actual na paghuli sa kanila,” Misamis Oriental Maritime Police Station Chief, Capt. Benito Siddayao, said.

Police coordinated and turned over the bird to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao (DENR-10) for proper care.

“Bawal po ang pag-keep o paghawak ng mga hayop, pag-aalaga ng hayop na endangered kailangan meron po tayong permit sa DENR po,” Siddayao added.

The suspect is facing charges for violation of the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147). He declined to give a statement.

Authorities will also conduct follow-up operations as the suspect only acted allegedly as delivery man.

“At yun ngayon ang ginagawa namin for follow up investigation yung manhunt dun sa mga nabanggit niya na mga personalities,” Siddayao said.