-
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/10 June) – The Chinese couple suspected of smuggling black corals and stuffed turtles have gone into hiding, a police official said Thursday.
The couple was also identified as the owners of the tons of corals and shells the authorities uncovered at a warehouse compound last Saturday evening in Sitio Pasay, Barangay San Roque, this city.
City police director Senior Supt.
Edwin de Ocampo said Olivia Li and Lee Mu Ying alias Jo Pring separately left their residence earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ordered the arrest of the couple for failing to appear before the environment committee chaired by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri despite repeated invitations.
Zubiri’s committee is conducting a hearing on the rampant poaching of marine resources in the country.
De Ocampo said the couple stayed in Barangay Tetuan.
“I received information that the husband left home aboard a tricycle and several minutes later the wife also left aboard a tricycle and [the have] never returned since then,” he added.
The couple owns the Li and Lim Trading, which is into the business of live marine products.
De Ocampo said they are still trying to determine the whereabouts of the Chinese couple in this city. (MindaNews)
