12 dolphins stranded in Manila Bay brought out to sea

March 1, 2018

Twelve dolphins stranded in the polluted waters of Manila Bay in Pasay City were rescued and sent out to the sea on Wednesday by members of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)  and the Philippine National Police's Maritime Group.

Chief Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, head of the PNP Maritime Group, said a fisherman informed them around 6 a.m. a group of dolphins were stranded in the seawaters of Manila Bay facing SM Mall of Asia and Solaire Resort and Casino.

The rescue operation began at 10 a.m., according to a Maritime Group report, and ended by 11:30 a.m. as the dolphins were herded out to sea.

Jocson said the dolphins could have been looking for food when they drifted towards the interior of Manila Bay.  Jocson said intensified their efforts against illegal fishermen in the area.

“The area is now safe as we have intensified our efforts against fishermen using dynamites in their activities,” Jocson said in a phone interview Thursday.

In a television interview over GMA News, BFA information officer Len Conant said the dolphins could have gotten sick due to the garbage if they were not rescued.  DMS