No, owning a monkey in the Philippines is illegal without a wildlife conservation permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as macaques and other primates are protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147). Unauthorized possession risks confiscation, fines up to ₱1 million, or imprisonment under the 2023 DENR Administrative Order No. 2023-05, which tightened enforcement ahead of the 2026 ASEAN biodiversity compliance deadlines.
Key Regulations for Owning a Monkey in Philippines
- DENR Permit Requirement: Only facilities accredited by the DENR’s Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit (WTMU) may legally hold primates, and only for conservation, research, or education purposes. Private ownership is prohibited.
- CITES Compliance: The Philippines, a signatory to CITES, enforces Appendix II listings for macaques, mandating import/export permits from the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) for any interjurisdictional movement.
- Local Government Unit (LGU) Coordination: LGUs must verify compliance with the 2022 Joint DENR-DILG Memorandum Circular, which requires barangay-level inspections to curb illegal pet trade activities.