Poaching continues in disputed territory

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines— Endangered marine turtles believed to be ready to be sold live to Chinese traders were found in an abandoned mangrove enclosure in Balabac town on Monday, authorities said on Thursday.

Forty-nine turtles, mostly adults with some weighing over 200 kilograms, were released on Thursday in Puerto Princesa Bay after they were turned over to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

The poached green sea turtles, classified as endangered species, were found on Monday by a team composed of Navy men and members of Bantay Palawan, the environmental enforcement arm of the provincial government.

They were found in an enclosed mangrove area in Barangay Ramos, Balabac, the southernmost island-town of Palawan.

Randy Suelo, head of Bantay Palawan, told the Inquirer on Thursday that investigation results showed that the turtles were being prepared for transport “possibly in the area around Hasa-Hasa, which is the known trading post for turtles.”

Hasa-Hasa Shoal, known internationally as Half Moon Shoal, is part of the disputed Spratly Islands jointly claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. Philippine law enforcement officials have also identified it as a regular trading point of Chinese traders who buy marine turtles from local illegal fishers.

In May, 11 Chinese nationals were caught there by the PNP Maritime Force in possession of more than 300 dead marine turtles.