By PIA-Bohol | 10:20 PM September 05, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — A Boholano vlogger who may have unwittingly used trapping of endangered wildlife as vlogging content, may be headed to thick bushes soon, as a wildlife advocacy page is now calling on Filipinos to mass report the Facebook page of “Secret Hunter” to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Secret Hunter’s posts show wild birds being trapped and captured in Bohol and even uses mangati-ay sa Bohol as part of his page name.
His digital content, mostly about using plant sap sticky traps, which can pull out bird feathers from trapped birds, cause injury to the birds and even death when not readily rescued, is among the listed inappropriate techniques and devices, which can be detrimental to the wildlife and their habitats, aggravate the situation.
Although the vlogger-wild bird trapper is largely into white eared brown dove (alimokon), Philippine Hanging Parakeet (Kulasisi) and Imperial pigeon (bawod) which are not listed as vulnerable or threatened species, these are listed under other wildlife species.
Section 27 (f) of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, says it is “unlawful, unless otherwise authorized under the law, to collect, hunt or possess wildlife, their by-products and derivatives.”
Therefore, even if the wild bird caught is not listed in the conservation status list, catching a wild bird—even without killing it—can constitute an illegal act if the capture or collection is not authorized
“Please help me to report this page!” Romblon Wildlife • Lloyd Fabrigar, a Facebook page dedicated to Philippine wildlife, appealed in a post.
“Naaawa ako sa mga ibon na ginagawang content ng mga ito,”the page said, sharing screenshots from Secret Hunter showing several kulasisi, alimokon and bawod apparently captured by hand.
However, Secret Hunter uses kati: a caged or tethered bird calling to attract female partners while placing plant sap (tagok) on the branch where the attracted wild bird would perch, eventually getting stick in the sticky trap.
Romblon Wildlife also urged followers not to tolerate the activity: “Huwag natin hayaan ang ganitong gawain. Please help me. Para sa biodiversity!”
Its posts repeatedly show birds in traps, cages or being held after apparent capture.
The person featured on the page is often shown in wooded areas and, in one profile image, wears a dark bucket hat, black face mask and gray shirt while holding a wire cage or trap containing a bird.
While there is no indication that the captured birds may be sold, suspicions based on the comments hint such.
Wildlife trading is likewise regulated.
This should therefore go beyond a Facebook mass report. The DENR should investigate Secret Hunter, identify the people behind the trapping videos, determine exactly where the birds are being caught, establish the species involved, check whether permits exist, and investigate any evidence that captured birds are being sold, Romblon Wildlife urged.
On Saturday, “Secret Hunter” revealed that personnel from DENR had gone to his home and warned him to stop hunting wild kulasisi.
“Mga Ka tropa Kung hunters, pasensya na…pati kayo nadamay pa,” he posted on Facebook.
If violations are established, those responsible should face the appropriate charges and arrest under the law.
The public can help by reporting the page and its individual posts to Facebook and forwarding screenshots, videos, links and any evidence of wildlife sales to the DENR.
Do not harass or threaten anyone—document and report. A social media following should never become a license to turn Philippine wildlife into content. Mass report the page. Get the DENR involved. Investigate Secret Hunter, Romblon Wildlife said.
Under RA 9147 Section 28, violation of Section 27(f) involving other wildlife species, means Imprisonment between 10 days to 1 month, a fine of ₱1,000 to ₱5,000.
If the collection was done using inappropriate techniques or devices, the maximum penalty applies, the law said. With a report from I. Inojales
