ZAMBOANGA CITY — Conservation efforts for marine turtles received a major boost this June with the successful release of Olive ridley hatchlings in Zamboanga City and the translocation of a critically endangered Leatherback turtle nest in Zamboanga del Sur.
On June 2, a total of 72 Olive ridley (𝘓𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢) hatchlings were released into the sea following a 65-day incubation period. The eggs were laid on March 29 within the compound of the Zamboanga Maritime Police Station in Zone IV and closely monitored until their emergence. The hatching was reported by Police Major Benito Suyu Siddayao, Jr. to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Zamboanga City.
The release activity was led by the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Unit (PAMBCU) of CENRO, whose personnel donned ASEAN-inspired and Filipiniana attire for the occasion. They were joined by members of the Maritime Police, including PMAJ Siddayao Jr. and PEMS Randy Kahal Grageda. The event underscored the value of cross-sectoral collaboration in protecting marine biodiversity.
Meanwhile, in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, CENRO Ramon Magsaysay successfully translocated 100 eggs of a critically endangered Leatherback sea turtle (𝘋𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢) after a nesting sighting on June 5 at Purok Campo Islam, Lower Bayao.
The nesting was first reported on social media by Mr. Harold Tagaloguin and confirmed by beach worker Lemuel Estalio, who witnessed the nesting around midnight during a gathering. Quick to act, Estalio notified the Philippine Coast Guard and secured the site from possible disturbances.
Upon arrival, CENRO’s PAMBCU team found that Bantay-Dagat personnel had begun collecting the eggs, which were at risk due to potential submersion from high tides. The 100 eggs were safely relocated to a secure nesting site, where protective fencing and netting were installed to safeguard them from predators.
CENRO Ramon Magsaysay, led by OIC Dionisio B. Rago, reminded the public—especially those visiting beaches—to immediately report any sightings of nesting turtles and to refrain from using flashlights that may disrupt the egg-laying process.
The Leatherback turtle is listed as Critically Endangered under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 and protected under Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
These two coordinated actions in the Zamboanga Peninsula underscore the critical role of community involvement and inter-agency cooperation in preserving the country’s marine wildlife.