By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Authorities recovered about P28 million worth of fossilized giant clam, locally known as ‘taklobo’ or ‘Manlot,’ last week at Hacienda Juliana in Escalante City’s Barangay Washington.
Manlot considered rare and endangered, most of which can be found in the waters near Escalante City, Sagay City, and other parts of northern Negros, according to an official from the Provincial Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Based on a report from Escalante City Police Station, operatives led by Escalante City police chief, Police Lt. Colonel Necerato Sabando, together with BFAR Provincial Director Marian Jill  Abeto and Escalante City Executive Assistant IV Rolen Cabus, inspected the area near the home of a certain Jasper Bacaron, where the mollusks were found abandoned.
Bacaron reportedly turned over the manlot and revealed to Cabus that Nexon Aurelio of Sagay City’s Barangay Vito was the buyer of the clams.
The find was transported to BFAR-6 Provincial Fishery Office of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City for custody and safe keeping.
An official from the provincial BFAR yesterday confirmed the clams were already turned over to them and that they are studying how to properly dispose of the said items. They are also studying the possibilities of filing a case in violation of the Fisheries Code of the Philippines against the said buyer.
The official also revealed the buyer promised fishermen in Escalante City that he would buy the giant clams at P7,500 per kilogram.
He also revealed, while the Manlot were already fossilized, they are also considering bringing them back to sea as it is considered as the best breeding place for the animal./DGB, WDJ