30/07/2026
📍La Sable Beach Resort - Jomalig Island, Quezon
Kudos to our resort staff, Kuya Batotoy, Kuya Marcial and Kuya Jojo for their swift response and dedication in ensuring the safety of the pawikan and helping it safely return to its natural habitat, the sea. Your commitment to protecting our marine wildlife is truly commendable.
La Sable Beach Resort, your best destination for a wonderful vacation!
Local Resident and Official Rescue and Release Giant Sea Turtle in Jomalig, Quezon
JOMALIG, QUEZON (July 30, 2026) — A large sea turtle (pawikan) was safely rescued and returned to the ocean after straying ashore near a beach resort in Sitio Sadong, Barangay Talisoy, Jomalig, Quezon.
The rescue operation took place at around 10:05 PM when local official Kagawad Antonio Delos Santos Acunin, along with his brothers Marcial and Jojo Acunin, noticed their three dogs barking incessantly near La Sable Beach Resort. Upon investigating, they discovered a large sea turtle that had crawled ashore near the grassy shoreline.
Realizing the turtle was in potential danger from poachers or onlookers, the group immediately stepped in. Observing that the turtle was uninjured and had not laid any eggs on the beach, Delos Santos carefully removed barnacles (sisi) attached to its body before guiding it safely back into the water.
"We initially observed what the turtle would do, but it wasn't moving. We checked for tracks to see if it had laid eggs, but it hadn't," Delos Santos shared in an interview with Kasama ng Kalikasan RadioTV program. "Fearing someone else might spot it and harm it, we guided it back into the sea."
Measurements taken at the scene estimated the turtle’s shell to be approximately 7 handspans (dangkal) in length and 4.5 handspans in width.
Photos of the rescue posted online drew widespread praise from community members, who commended the brothers for setting a positive example for wildlife protection in the island municipality.
Public Advisory and Call to Action
Environmental advocates and local authorities remind the public that all species of sea turtles (pawikan) are strictly protected under Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Under Philippine law, capturing, harming, harvesting eggs, purchasing, or selling sea turtles and their products is illegal and carries severe criminal penalties.
The public is strongly urged to report any sea turtle sightings, nesting activities, injured wildlife, or illegal poaching violations to:
🚩Local Barangay Officials
🚩Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO)
🚩Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO)
🚩Nearest Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Office
Prompt reporting ensures proper biological documentation, safe handling, and continuous protection of endangered marine species.
✍️JSL
📸 Antonio Acunin
