Acting Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday called for more thorough security measures at the Bacolod airport in the light of the recent failure by the Bacolod Aviation Security Group to stop snakes in bottles and monitor lizards wearing diapers in two large suitcases from getting on a flight to Manila Tuesday.

The next time we may be traveling with crocodiles, he said.

They should tighten the security measures at the airport and seriously look into the type of luggage being loaded on airplanes, Zayco said.

Airport officials should thoroughly investigate why the incident occurred, so disciplinary action can be taken, he said.

Erlinda Vergara, 42, of Quezon City who was bound for Thailand, was held by airport police and Bureau of Customs officers Tuesday, after being found at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with two suitcases from Bacolod containing 50 monitor lizards, 39 cobras, 21 viper cobras, 20 skinks (small insect-eating lizards) and two iguanas, an initial inventory showed.

Chief Insp. Leonardo Olandesca Jr., ASG-Bacolod chief, had recommended the filing of administrative charges for less grave neglect of duty against ASG-Bacolod officer-in-charge SPO3 Nelson Donesa, and for simple neglect of duty against duty team leader SPO2 Arnel Villanueva, for their failure to check the baggage that contained the reptiles.

Villanueva denied any wrongdoing, while Donesa could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Joan Gerangaya, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer in Bacolod, said they have received intelligence reports that buyers of endangered spotted deers and warty pigs have also been operating in Negros.

The endangered animals are reportedly being sold abroad, he said.

He said the CENRO has intensified its monitoring, especially in the Don Salvador Benedicto town area, to prevent the illegal traffic of endangered species from Negros Occidental.*CPG

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