Lianga, Surigao del Sur - A rare giant turtle was rescued by a joint team of DENR and LGU personnel at the shores of Diatagon in this municipality on Friday, February 6, 2009 but died shortly due to severe wounds , a report reaching the Office of the Regional Executive Director for DENR Caraga Region Edilberto S. Buiser recently.
Kids mill around to get a glimpse of a wounded giant leather back turtle after it was rescued from the hands of a group of fishermen at the shores of a remote fishing village in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur by CENRO Romeo Luengas and the LGU of Lianga. The giant turtle however, died shortly due to severe wounds. ( DENR 13 Photo )
The leatherbackback giant tortoise measures about 69 inches long. Its carapace has a width of 30 inches and a length of 57 inches.
“We failed to save the giant turtle from dying. It just died probably due to suffering from exhaustion and dehydration caused by deep wounds on her neck “, CENRO Luengas said.
According to investigation conducted by vice mayor Lala , the giant turtle was found by the fishermen in the seas in near the shores of Barangay Ganayon in Lianga, Surigao del Sur trying to struggle her way to the dry lands probably to lay her eggs.
The report said the turtle got entangled on the fishnet of some fishermen who were fishing at that time. But it bore several wounds including a deep cut on her dorsal neck either inflicted though the use of a sharp spear or a fan blade from a motorboat when it was spotted on the seas.
The fishermen, however, had tried to tow the turtle to the shore to butcher it but before they could deliver the final blow, the DENR-LGU team arrived at the scene and took the wounded turtle to a temporary shelter at the Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College (SSPSC) under the care of a biologist. But their effort failed to revive the weakening turtle.
Report said the said giant turtle is considered by the government of the United States as an endangered species.
Compared to other giant turtles which have bony hard plates on their shells (Carapace), the leatherback turtle is slightly flexible and rubber texture. No sharp angle form between the Carapace and under-belly. It is barrel-shape and may grow bigger.
The largest leatherback turtle was found on the West Coast of Wales in 1988. It weighed about 916 kilos. (Herzon F. Gallego, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on illegal gambling
On February 9, 2009 at 10:30 in the evening at Barangay Rizal, Surigao City, PNP elements of Surigao City Police Station conducted operation against illegal gambling which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Jerwin Orag Dumanhog, 19 years old, single and resident of Purok-2, Barangay Togbongon, Surigao City while actually caught engaged in illegal gambling.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were seven “suertres” tally sheet; one piece ballpen; one Nokia 1110i cellphone; one unit passenger motorcycle with plate number SC 1630 and bet money amounting to Php 150.00.
Arrested person is now detained at said station for proper disposition.
Also, on February 10, 2009 at 7:35 in the evening at the sidewalk of Villanueva Street, Barangay Humabon, Butuan City, PNP elements of Vice Control Section of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by PSINSP Plaza, also conducted operation against illegal gambling which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Raul Antik Acala, 37 years old, single and resident of said place.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were four pieces filled-up “swertres” tally sheets, two pieces “swertres” tip; one piece ballpen and bet money amounting to Php 407.00.
Subject person was brought to Butuan City Police Station-1 for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted persons
On February 9, 2009 at 3:35 in the afternoon at Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, a certain Paul Jastine Duero Erazo, 19 years old, single and resident of Barangay Calagdaan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur who has a standing warrant of arrest (WOA) voluntarily surrendered to Cantilan Municipal Police Station.
Said WOA was issued by Hon Judge Alfredo Jalad of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur for reckless imprudence resulting to Serious Physical Injuries under CC number 645 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 6, 000.00.
Subject person was properly committed to Cantilan Sub-Provincial Jail for proper disposition.
On the following day, February 10, 2009 at 11:00 in the morning at Purok-1, Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City, PNP elements of Butuan City Police Station 4 led by PSINSP Ronaldo Plaza arrested the suspect identified as Junrey Ponay Casabajan, 21 years old, single and resident of Purok-4, Barangay Maguinda, Butuan City by virtue of WOA for the crime of homicide under CC number 13289, issued by Hon Judge Augustus Calo, dated February 10, 2009 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 100,000.00.
Suspect was turned over to the issuing court.
On the same date, around 11:35 in the morning at Kaskag Village, Barangay Washington, Surigao City, joint elements of Surigao City Police Station and CIDG-Surigao del Norte led by PINSP Alfedo Lambot, served the WOA to the suspect identified as Junie Cabusao Medina, 36 years old, single and resident of Rozas Street, Barangay Washington, Surigao City, issued by Hon Judge Evangeline Bayana-Yuipco of RTC Branch 32, Surigao City dated January 12, 2009, for the crime of frustrated murder under CC number 8142 and wit recommended bailbond amounting to Php 200,000.00.
Subject person is now detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, around 3:00 in the afternoon of the same date at Villa Kanangga, Butuan City, PNP elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by SPO3 Herminigildo Narciso served the WOA to the suspect identified as Jerry Gagelonia, 21 years old, single and resident of Purok-5, Villa Kananga, Butuan City issued by Hon Judge Emmanuel Escatron of RTC Branch 2, Butuan City, dated January 27, 2009 for the crime of robbery with violence against person, under CC number 13241 and with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 100,000.00.
Suspect was turned over to the issuing court for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
