Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 Regional Executive Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez (extreme right) releases around 100 green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings at the shores of Baguan Island in Tawi-Tawi on May 22 with Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) Forest Management Services Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan and Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Commodore Edgar B. Boado (2nd and 3rd from right, respectively). The activity was conducted prior to the turnover of the administration and management of the 242,967-hectare Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS) in the Sulu Archipelago from DENR-9 to MENRE-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on May 23. The TIWS is a major nesting ground in Southeast Asia for the endangered green sea turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). TIWS was established as a protected area in 1999. Also in photo are MENRE personnel and other stakeholders. ###