Dog stranded on La Monja Island gets rescued

A dog that was stranded on a reportedly uninhabited island near the coast of Bataan was rescued. 

According to Kuya Kim’s report on "24 Oras," Thursday, Bataan Animal Welfare (BAW) founder Christian Cambaling said that he received a Facebook message from a fisherman about a dog that was stranded on La Monja Island.

Upon receiving the report, Christian immediately organized a rescue operation to save the dog.

“Nakipag-coordinate kami sa Philippine Coast Guard, sa barangay, tapos pati na rin sa PNP Maritime Group,” he said.

The group then traveled to the island for almost half an hour for the mission. 

“Na-confirm na nga namin na may aso talaga doon sa isla,” Christian shared. “Sobrang payat niya Triny namin siyang paamuhin. Kapag nakikita niya na maraming tao, tumatakbo talaga siya palayo." 

The first day of rescue was unsuccessful, so Christian returned the next day to the island with the fisherman. This time, they finally got to rescue the dog. 

“Struggle talaga 'yung pag-rescue namin sa kanya dahil sobrang ilap niya, he said.

“Habang inaabala ko siya sa pagkain na binibigay ko, hinagisan niya ng lubid sa leeg tapos dun na namin na restrain 'yung aso."

Upon rescuing the dog, Christian observed its condition and immediately brought it to a veterinarian.

“Lumilitaw na 'yung mga buto niya sa ribs. Indication na siguro at least one to two weeks na siyang nandun sa isla,” he said.

“Dinala namin agad sa vet. Sinabi ng mga vet na super dehydrated ng aso.  Binigyan siya ng antibiotics, naka-IV fluid therapy din siya para malabanan 'yung severe dehydration." 

After more than a week at the clinic, the once-abandoned dog made a full recovery — and found a forever home.

According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), there were an estimated 13 million stray dogs and cats roaming Philippine streets in 2024 — a number that continues to increase each year.

Aside from promoting responsible pet ownership, experts point to one key solution to address the problem: spaying and neutering.

Kapon is a safe surgical procedure performed on dogs and cats to prevent reproduction. In females, the ovaries and uterus are removed, while in males, the testicles are removed.

The procedure improves animal health and prevents unwanted births, helping control the animal population. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News