Three people were arrested for butchering and cooking an endangered sea turtle (Pawikan) in Maasim, Sarangani.

The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS), in coordination with the PNP Maritime Group, Maasim Police Station, and the local government.

During the operation, authorities recovered a carapace of a butchered turtle along with cooked turtle meat ready for consumption.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12), butchering and cooking turtles are a serious wildlife crime under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147).

The law prohibits the killing, possession, and trade of endangered wildlife.

“Under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, all sea turtle species are listed as either endangered or critically endangered, granting them maximum legal protection,” DENR-12 said.

The suspects are facing charges, which carry penalties of imprisonment and hefty fines.

DENR-12 Regional Executive Director, Atty. Felix Alicer, stressed that killing a turtle not only violates the law but also endangers marine ecosystems.

“The killing of pawikan is not only a violation of our environmental laws but a direct threat to the delicate ecological balance of Sarangani Bay. Marine turtles are vital to the health of our coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fisheries – natural resources that sustain the livelihoods of our coastal communities,” Alicer said.

PAMO-SBPS and DENR-12 condemned the incident and urged the public to stand against wildlife crimes.

Authorities also underscored that protecting turtles is not only a legal obligation but a moral responsibility to safeguard the sustainability of marine ecosystems for future generations.

“We must act collectively to protect these endangered species and preserve the marine ecosystems for future generations,” Alicer added.