Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to a stranded Whale Shark in Balayan, Batangas on, 25 May 2025.

With the support of the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said pursuit is a testament to the PCG’s mandate of not only protecting lives, but also protecting the very resources that sustain life.

A joint team of Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Balayan, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and Municipal Fisheries Office of Balayan acted promptly to a report of a stranded whale shark (Butanding) off the shoreline.

According to the information received from the MDRRMO, a concerned citizen alerted authorities about the presence of the marine creature stranded in shallow waters.

Upon arrival, response teams from CGSS Balayan, in coordination with MDRRMO confirmed the sighting of the whale shark, which measured approximately 13.8 feet in length and 2.95 feet in width. Early assessments revealed signs of extreme exhaustion, raising concerns for the well-being of the whale shark.

Joint team made several attempts to guide the whale shark back into deeper waters, in collaboration with the Municipal Fisheries Office. However, despite their best efforts, the whale shark repeatedly returned to the shallow waters. At around 5:00 AM, the whale shark was reported lifeless near the shoreline.

In accordance with local regulations, the remains of the whale shark were formally turned over to the Municipal Fisheries Office.