JOMALIG, Quezon — A Green Sea Turtle weighing an estimated 100 kilograms was successfully rescued and released back into the sea after it washed ashore in Sitio Sadong, Barangay Talisoy, Jomalig, Quezon, following the strong earthquake that struck the area on the night of July 29.
According to local accounts, a group of siblings was alerted by their dog’s persistent barking along the shoreline. Believing that someone might be in distress, they rushed to the beach only to discover a large Green Sea Turtle surrounded by several dogs.
Instead of harming or abandoning the marine reptile, the residents worked together to safely guide it back into the ocean. Witnesses estimated that the turtle weighed around 100 kilograms.
Barangay Councilor Antonio Delo Santos, who captured the rescue on video, said he hopes the incident will serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting endangered marine wildlife. He noted that sea turtles are sometimes illegally slaughtered in some areas and expressed hope that the residents’ compassionate response would inspire others to conserve rather than exploit these protected animals.
Green Sea Turtles are among the wildlife species protected under Philippine law. The capture, killing, possession, transport, sale, or trade of sea turtles is strictly prohibited under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.