ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur – A rare and beautiful bird later known as a species of the Philippine Hawk-Eagle was rescued in the wee hours by a member of Manobo tribe in the isolated and mountainous area of Maghilot, Bunawan Brook, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

The Manobo tribe member immediately reported and turned over the juvenile male raptor to the head security of the Philsaga Mining Corp. (PMC) Thursday, May 13, for proper disposition.

The chief security reported the incident to PMC president Atty. Raul C. Villanueva who immediately called top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the turnover of the wildlife since it cannot be possessed without permit under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) DAO No. 2019-09 or the “Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories.”

The rescued big bird was initially named by Villanueva as “Alpha.” “It’s good that the bird was not harmed when found by our highland farmer/villager,” said the top PMC official.

“Initially, our (company) medical team extended foods (fruits) and we later found the rare bird started kicking,” Villanueva added.

Villanueva personally turned over the rescued Philippine Hawk Eagle (Nisaetuspinskeri) to DENR Region 13 Executive Director Nonie M. Tamayo at PMC office in Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur Friday.

“We are happy enough that the bird was found in the company’s good hands,” said Tamayo, who assured the bird will be properly handed over to the agency’s bureau. “There, it can be properly taken cared of,” the region’s top DENR official said.