MAASIM, Sarangani — Authorities in Sarangani province arrested three individuals on September 13, 2025, for the illegal slaughter of marine turtles, locally known as pawikan, in a joint operation that underscored the government’s crackdown on wildlife crimes threatening marine biodiversity.
The operation was carried out by the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS), in coordination with the PNP Maritime Group, Maasim Municipal Police Station, and the local government of Maasim.
Recovered during the operation were a carapace of a butchered turtle and cooked pawikan meat ready for consumption. Authorities stressed that these acts are clear violations of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which prohibits the killing, possession, and trade of endangered wildlife. Under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2019-09, all sea turtle species in the Philippines are classified as endangered or critically endangered, affording them the highest level of legal protection.
The suspects are now facing criminal charges under RA 9147, which carries heavy penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines.
DENR–12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer condemned the killing, warning that such acts go beyond breaking the law—they directly endanger the ecological balance of Sarangani Bay. “Marine turtles are vital to the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fisheries—resources that sustain the livelihoods of our coastal communities. Destroying them is destroying our future,” Alicer said.
DENR–12 and PAMO-SBPS reiterated their call for stronger community vigilance against wildlife crimes. They emphasized that protecting pawikan is both a legal duty and a moral responsibility to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations.
The case highlights the ongoing threats to the rich biodiversity of Sarangani Bay, a protected seascape that serves as a critical habitat for marine turtles and other endangered species. Authorities vowed to intensify enforcement operations and community education to curb the illegal killing of wildlife.