65 sea turtles seized in southern Palawan
CALAPAN CITY , Philippines – Operatives of the police Maritime Group-Special Boat Unit and the Philippine Navy seized at least 65 assorted species of sea turtles, 14 of them dead, in Balabac town in southern Palawan last Friday afternoon, according to reports reaching the regional police headquarters here.
In a report, Superintendent Osmundo Salibo, Special Boat Unit chief, said the turtles were found in an abandoned 35-foot motor launch anchored off Barangay Bancalaan in Balabac town.
The turtles reportedly were to be transported to Hasa-Hasa Shoal in Malaysia and sold to Chinese fishermen.
Personnel of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development went to the area along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources employees to oversee the documentation and disposition of the animals, which included 39 live green sea turtles, the largest of which measured 71 by 63 centimeters; a loggerhead turtle, and 10 hawksbill turtles.
Earlier this year, at least 150 sea turtles were also confiscated in the same area, but the poachers eluded arrest.
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