Malaybalay city: A resolution has been filed at the Senate seeking to recognize the bravery of a 21-year-old indigenous farmer who rescued an injured Philippine Eagle from a troop of monkeys in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Senate Resolution No. 519, filed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, seeks to honor Marvin Linoy, who rescued the critically endangered bird near the Sawaga River in Barangay Dalawangan on July 3.
According to Philippines News Agency, Linoy was harvesting passion fruits in a forest when he heard unusual sounds and found about 30 monkeys attacking the eagle. The bird was reportedly covered in soil and visibly shaking. To drive the monkeys away, Linoy imitated a dog's bark, causing the animals to flee. He then covered the eagle's eyes with fern leaves and wrapped it in his jacket to keep it calm while waiting for rescuers.
'Hindi pangkaraniwang tapang ang ipinakita ni Marvin (Marvin showed extraordinary bravery). At 21, he kept his composure in a dangerous situation and found a way to protect a wounded Philippine Eagle until help arrived,' Zubiri, a native of Bukidnon, said in a statement Thursday. The senator also praised Linoy's quick thinking during the rescue.
The resolution also recognizes Junissa Valdueza Docenos and Sanny Docenos, fellow members of the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, for assisting Linoy. 'Presence of mind, malasakit and the courage to act ang ginamit niya. Dahil sa mabilis niyang pagresponde, nabigyan ng pagkakataong mabuhay ang isang Philippine Eagle na malinaw na nasa panganib (He drew on presence of mind, compassion and the courage to act, and because of his quick response, the endangered Philippine Eagle was given a chance to survive),' Zubiri said.
The Philippine Eagle was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before being transferred to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for treatment and rehabilitation. The resolution cited the Philippine Eagle Foundation's estimate that only about 400 breeding pairs of Philippine Eagles remain in the wild. The species is also classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The measure seeks to formally recognize Linoy's courage and his contribution to the protection of one of the country's most iconic and threatened wildlife species. 'Karapat-dapat kilalanin ito ng Senado. Sana ang ginawa ni Marvin ay makahikayat ng mas marami pang Pilipino na protektahan ang ating kagubatan (This deserves recognition by the Senate. Hopefully, what Marvin did will inspire more Filipinos to protect our forests),' Zubiri said.
