Manila, March 21 -- Three Philippine eagles arrived in this town on Friday as part of a five-year initiative to reintroduce the raptor in Leyte province.

After an 18-hour land travel from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) center in Davao City, the three eagles were welcomed by local officials and villagers in a ceremony in upland Mahagnao village.

Jayson Ibanez, PEF director of operations, said the eagles - two males and a female - will be placed in a temporary holding cage in nearby Kagbana village to acclimatize prior to its release in June in time for the Philippine Eagle Week celebration.

"The target is to release a maximum of 16 birds in five years within the Anonang-Lobi Mountain Range in Leyte. The aim is to establish a self...