10 December 2021
When asked to share her opinion on the Animal Welfare Act and how it can be implemented better, DivinaLaw Associate Atty. Annamhel Monique C. Roa observed a seeming lack of public awareness about animal rights.
“Perhaps not many of us are aware of the fact that abandonment – leaving an animal with no intention of reclaiming it – is a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Hindi natin pwedeng gawing aktibo ang mga tao sa pag-implement ng provisions ng batas if tayo mismo hindi natin alam kung ano ang provisions ng batas na ito. (We cannot advocate for the active implementation of the provisions of this law if we ourselves are not aware of these provisions.)
“Information is key, first and foremost. Yung pangalawa (secondly), knowing who to access when it comes to reporting these animal rights violations.”
“When it comes to filing criminal complaints, assuming that there are really acts of abuse as defined under the law, we may file criminal complaints, file a blotter, directly with the PNP (Philippine National Police) or we may also file criminal complaints with the Fiscal.”
Atty. Roa was recently featured as speaker in a webinar organized by nonprofit Pawssion Project Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Society for the Advancement of Veterinary Education and Research (SAVER) and student organizations led by De La Salle Araneta University Student Council.
She discussed the Animal Welfare Act, including unlawful acts and its corresponding penalties.
Atty. Roa is a member of DivinaLaw’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group and is a law professor in the Rizal Memorial Colleges.
