A legislative measure has been introduced in the Senate to commend a 21-year-old indigenous farmer for his heroism in saving an injured Philippine Eagle from an aggressive troop of monkeys in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Under Senate Resolution No. 519, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, the chamber seeks to officially recognize Marvin Linoy. On July 3, Linoy discovered the critically endangered raptor near the Sawaga River in Barangay Dalawangan while gathering passion fruits in the forest.
The resolution details how Linoy was drawn to the scene by strange noises, only to find around 30 monkeys attacking the eagle, which was shaking and caked in dirt.
To disperse the primates, Linoy cleverly mimicked a dog’s bark, successfully scaring them away. He then placed fern leaves over the bird’s eyes and bundled it in his jacket to soothe it until assistance arrived.
“Hindi pangkaraniwang tapang ang ipinakita ni Marvin. 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 lauded Linoy’s presence of mind during the encounter and also credited his fellow Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative members, Sanny Docenos and Junissa Valdueza Docenos, for helping with the rescue effort.
“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,” Zubiri said.
Following the rescue, the eagle was handed over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, before being sent to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for specialized treatment and rehabilitation.
According to data cited in the resolution from the foundation, only approximately 400 breeding pairs of the species survive in the wild, placing them on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s critically endangered list.
The proposed resolution formally acknowledges Linoy’s bravery and his vital part in preserving one of the nation’s most treasured and vulnerable 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,” Zubiri said.