Over 200 turtle hatchlings released in Tawi-Tawi island sanctuary
Over 200 turtle hatchlings were released in Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in Tawi-Tawi, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, July 2.


In a video shared by the PCG on Friday, PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia led the release of the turtle hatchlings on the coast of the turtle sanctuary on June 25.
The PCG said, in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the municipality of Turtle Islands, the initiative also aims to take care of the nesting grounds for the endangered Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles.
“Aside from upholding maritime law enforcement, the PCG is also mandated to protect the country’s marine resources, most especially vulnerable marine species and their habitats,” the Coast Guard said.
The wildlife conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said green turtles, classified as endangered, are threatened by “overharvesting of their eggs, hunting of adults, being caught in fishing gear and loss of nesting beach sites.”