Large pawikan rescued in Quezon
Published Jul 31, 2026 06:32 pm
JOMALIG, Quezon – A large sea turtle (pawikan) was rescued and returned to the sea in Sitio Sadong, Barangay Talisoy, this town, on July 30.
Village councilor Antonio Acunin and his brothers Marcial and Jojo noticed their three dogs barking incessantly and discovered a sea turtle that crawled ashore near the grassy shoreline. The turtle was unhurt and had not laid any eggs on the beach. They carefully removed barnacles 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 had not," Antonio said in an interview with Kasama ng Kalikasan.
The turtle’s shell was approximately seven handspans (dangkal) in length and 4.5 handspans in width.
Authorities reminded the public that all species of sea turtles 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 are illegal and carries severe criminal penalties.
The public was strongly urged to report any sea turtle sightings, nesting activities, injured wildlife, or illegal poaching violations to authorities.