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Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines reports the leatherback turtle has been returned to its habitat
On August 8, 2015, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines Facebook Page posted an update stating that the leatherback sea turtle has been returned to its habitat. However, netizens are skeptical and asked for proof and documentation that the turtle has really been returned to the ocean.
“It was reported this afternoon that the leatherback turtle captured and photographed in Samar was released yesterday as relayed by the Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Mundita Lim through the action of Regional Director Sibbaluca of DENR Region 8 Regional Office.”
As of this writing, Lastimado has already deactivated his Facebook account.
UPDATED: August 9, 2015
On the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines Facebook Page, Corazon H. Makabenta made a comment on their post stating the details of the capture and release of the leatherback turtle in the viral photos.
“The public is hereby informed as per Spot Report submitted by DENR CENRO Sta, Rita, this leatherback marine turtle caught by a fisherman—a certain Jessy Amora—at 1:30 in the morning in Barangay Pinamitan, Marabut, Samar has been released on August 5, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the presence of Shirley Galaza, a personnel of the Department of Agriculture, Marabut, Samar. DENR Region 8 will be conducting investigation thru the Local Chief Executive and ELAC lawyer, our partner in the training conducted on Coastal Law Enforcement attended by Coastal LGUs. This is a clear violation of the Wildlife Ace, Republic Act 9147, Section 27 (h) maltreating and/ or inflicting injuries to wildlife.”
UPDATE: from Corazon H. Makabenta from the DENR office, Region 8….. “This guy is not the brgy chairman, a former ABC Pres as the Mun Councilor of Marabut. The Local Chief Executive has ordered also this release. DENR Regl Director Leonardo Sibbaluca has already instructed to take appropriate action.”
Here’s the full update: “To the general public, pls be informed that this Leatherback Marine Turtle has been released at 11 in the morning on August 5, 2015 in the presence of DA MAO and Bantay Dagat of Marabut, Samar. Per spot report submitted by DENR CENRO Sta Rita, Samar, the Pawikan was caught by Jessy Amora a fisherman by fish net while fishing using his ABS CBN donated pumpboat at 1:30 in the morning 1km offshore of Brgy Pinamitinan, Marabut, Samar. Measurements and photodocs undertaken, identified as Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea ) categorized as endangered species, measures 6 feet in length and 36 inches in width of carapace. This incident of riding at the back of the turtle might have happened before the DENR CENRO Sta Rita Team arrived. This is in violation of Wildlife Act, RA 9147, Sec 27(h) and penalty per Sec 28 of the Act will be imposed by DENR 8. We have been campaigning so hard, deputized WEOs and conducted training on Environmental Law Enforcement in Coastal and Marine Areas in partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan Atty Ronely Sheen and Atty Genee Mislang and ELac Atty. Ronnan Christian Reposar. This guy is not the brgy chairman, a former ABC Pres as the Mun Councilor of Marabut. The Local Chief Executive has ordered also this release. DENR Regl Director Leonardo Sibbaluca has already instructed to take appropriate action. DENR BMB Director Mundita Lim likewise has alerted us to take appropriate action. Thanks for the expression of concern and support from the general public. Corazon H. Makabenta, OIC Chief, Conservation and Development Division, DENR, Region 8, Tacloban City.”