MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon said that ivory products have long been in the Philippine market despite an international ban on ivory.
Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
Biazon said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM Thursday that people see ivory products all the time and that they were already socially accepted.
He cited the social acceptance as the difficulty in enforcing the law. Biazon also added that it was known in certain circles that ivory is traded in the Philippines.
“Ivory products are already in front of us for the longest time, if not for the National Geographic article there would not be this kind of attention on ivory,” Biazon said.
When asked if the Philippines is being used as a trading point of ivory, Biazon confirmed.
“These products pass through us, although ivory seems to have a market here locally. The clients are apparently those who make and collect ivory ornaments.”
Listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM for the full interview.