An Giang Provincial Police's Security Investigation Agency announced on October 15 that it had initiated additional criminal proceedings against four suspects for the illegal possession and use of military weapons.

The suspects are Do Khac Truong, born in 1996; Do Khac Cuong, born in 1994; Nguyen Tan Ben, born in 1987; and Ngo Hoang Hau, born in 2001. All four reside in the Phu Quoc special administrative zone.

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Five suspects were charged in connection with the case in June. Photo: Police

The latest charges mark a new development in the investigation into the illegal hunting of Indochinese silvered langurs at Phu Quoc National Park in May.

Previously, the An Giang Provincial Police's Investigation Agency had charged and detained the four men, along with Ngo Hoang Phi, born in 1979 and Hau's father, for violating regulations on the protection of endangered, precious and rare animals.

According to preliminary investigation findings, on May 14, Phi contacted Truong, Cuong and Ben and instructed them to capture 10 silvered langurs to produce traditional medicinal paste for sale to customers.

The group subsequently entered Subzone 58, a protected forest area within Phu Quoc National Park, carrying a 6.5mm-caliber compressed-air gun to hunt the animals.

By May 27, they had delivered eight silvered langurs to Phi.

As the number fell short of the original request, Phi instructed Hau to hunt another animal.

Hau took a compressed-air gun into Subzone 66, a protected forest area in Suoi Cat Cua Duong neighborhood of the Phu Quoc special administrative zone, where he shot another silvered langur and brought it home.

At around noon that day, police caught Phi and Hau in the act of skinning and butchering the newly hunted animal.

A search of Phi's residence uncovered a total of nine silvered langurs, a homemade firearm, 132 lead pellets and several other items connected to the case.

After learning of Phi and Hau's arrest, Truong, Cuong and Ben voluntarily surrendered to investigators, handing over their gun, equipment used in the offenses and money obtained from the illegal activities.

Forensic examinations conducted by the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Science Sub-Institute in Ho Chi Minh City determined that the two seized guns and their ammunition were classified as military weapons under Vietnamese law.

Investigators also established that Subzones 58 and 66, where the suspects hunted the langurs, are located within strictly protected areas of Phu Quoc National Park, where hunting is prohibited.

A separate examination by the Institute of Biology identified the hunted animals as Indochinese silvered langurs (Trachypithecus germaini).

The species is included on Vietnam's list of endangered, precious and rare wildlife prioritized for protection and is classified under Group IB, which covers endangered and rare forest animals subject to strict protection.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.

Ky Long