30-611: Taganak Island is a small tropical island surrounded by the Sulu Sea in the province of Tawi-Tawi , Philippines . The island is the largest of the seven Philippine Turtle Islands and it is served as administrative center of the Municipality of Turtle Islands. The island is at the very edge of the international treaty limits separating the Philippines from Malaysia . Taganak contains about 116 hectares (290 acres) with
60-548: A kumpit with his family and five policemen, including the chief of police, following an apparent attack by 20 men. The Sandakan police alerted the Philippine military at Bongao . At a time of increased tension between Philippines and Malaysia, the presence of Philippine troops on Taganak Island was cited as threatening in a 1968 speech made in the Malaysian parliament by Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman . In
90-735: Is a body of water in the southwestern area of the Philippines , separated from the South China Sea in the northwest by Palawan and from the Celebes Sea in the southeast by the Sulu Archipelago . Borneo is found to the southwest and Visayas to the northeast. The Sulu Sea contains a number of islands. The Cuyo Islands and the Cagayan Islands are part of the province of Palawan whereas Mapun and
120-615: Is a protected area encompassing the municipality of Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi , Philippines . It spans six islands: Great Bakkungan , Baguan, Boan, Langaan, Lihiman, and Taganak . With a total area of 242,967 hectares, the sanctuary is situated between the Sulu and Celebes Sea , straddling the Malaysia–Philippines border . Except for uninhabited Langaan and Baguan, the islands are home to over 5,000 residents, with Taganak as
150-422: Is a recognized nesting ground for the green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) and the hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ), both of which are endangered species. Among the sanctuary's islands, Baguan alone accounts for approximately 63% of all turtle nestings. At least 71 species of birds were observed in the wildlife sanctuary. These include the vulnerable grey imperial pigeon ( Ducula pickeringii ),
180-704: The Taganak Lighthouse Dispute . The 1930 international treaty dealing with the transfer of administration of the Turtle Islands including Taganak contained the following provision: In the event of (the administration) of the Island of Taganak...being transferred, the United States Government will give favorable consideration to the question of the compensation to be paid to the ( British North Borneo Company ) in respect of
210-1062: The Turtle Islands are part of the province of Tawi-Tawi . Sulu Sea is also where the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park , one of the World Heritage Sites is located. Panay Gulf is an extension of the Sulu Sea. Straits out of the Sulu Sea include the Iloilo Strait , the Guimaras Strait , and the Basilan Strait . The sea's surface area is 260,000 square kilometers (100,000 sq mi). The Pacific Ocean flows into Sulu Sea in northern Mindanao and between Sangihe talaud Archipelago, North Sulawesi. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines
240-573: The Eastern end of Jolo Island , through Jolo to a point in long. 121°04'E on its South coast, thence through Tapul and Lugus Islands and along the North coast of Tawi Tawi Island to Bongao Island off its Western end ( 5°01′N 119°45′E / 5.017°N 119.750°E / 5.017; 119.750 ), and from thence to Tanjong Labian, the Northeastern extreme of Borneo. On
270-643: The Northwestern extreme of Panay , along the West and Southeast coast of that island to Tagubanhan Island ( 11°08′N 123°07′E / 11.133°N 123.117°E / 11.133; 123.117 ), thence a line to the Northern extreme of Negros and down the West coast to Siaton Point, its Southern extreme, thence across to Tagolo Point ( 8°44′N 123°22′E / 8.733°N 123.367°E / 8.733; 123.367 ), Mindanao . On
300-582: The Philippines is the Asian small-clawed otter , locally known as dungon in Palawan . Very little natural vegetation exists on the islands, except for Baguan and Langaan. Baguan is notable for its significant 89% coverage of beach forest while Langaan features smaller patches of beach forest. Additionally, there are limited areas of beach forest found on steep rock cliffs in Great Bakkungan and around
330-539: The Southeast. From Tagolo Point, down the West coast of Mindanao to the Southwest extremity thence to the North coast of Basilan Island ( 6°45′N 122°04′E / 6.750°N 122.067°E / 6.750; 122.067 ), through this island to its Southern extremity, thence a line to Bitinan Island ( 6°04′N 121°27′E / 6.067°N 121.450°E / 6.067; 121.450 ) off
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#1732775282859360-430: The Southwest. The North coast of Borneo between Tanjong Labian and Tanjong Sempang Mangayau. The Star Trek character Hikaru Sulu is named after the Sulu Sea. According to Sulu actor George Takei , " [Gene] Roddenberry's vision for Sulu was to represent all of Asia, being named for the Sulu Sea instead of using a country-specific name". Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary
390-476: The Sulu Sea as being one of the waters of the East Indian Archipelago . The IHO defines its limits as follows: It extends about 490 miles (790 km) from north to south and 375 miles (604 km) from east to west. Waves can stretch across 25 kilometers (16 mi) to 35 kilometers (22 mi). The sea is 4,400 meters (14,400 ft) deep but on its southern end Sulu Archipelago raises
420-491: The Turtle Islands to maintain it in the future. Today, the abandoned lighthouse tower remains at the summit of the island. President Elpidio Quirino spent two hours on 22 May 1951 visiting Taganak Island. The President visited the marker on the spot where the Philippine flag was raised during the ceremonies at the turnover by the British of the administration of the Turtle Islands to the Philippine government. He also inspected
450-491: The Turtle Islands. There is an elementary school on the island which had 662 students in the 2013/2014 academic year. Taganak National High School also provides second level education on the island. The island is part of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary established on 12 August 1999 by Presidential Proclamation 171. There is a turtle hatchery on the island. There is no electricity supply on
480-620: The administration of the island from the United Kingdom on 16 October 1947. The first Filipino district officer and police force to administer the Philippine Turtle Islands assumed their duties in Taganak on 22 October 1947. The island is near the entrance to Sandakan Bay. The lighthouse on the island, which was of practical importance to nearby North Borneo, became the subject of an international dispute known as
510-401: The aftermath of strained relations between the Philippines and Malaysia in 2013 when many Filipinos were being deported from Sabah , approximately 400 Filipinos from Sabah became briefly stranded on the island. The island is part of the barangay of Taganak Poblacion which had a population of 2,430 at the time of the 2010 census. Its serves as the administrative center of the municipality of
540-492: The capital expenditure incurred by the company in connection with the lighthouse situated on the island, and that the United States Government will provide for the future maintenance of the lighthouse. At the time of the transfer of the island the Philippine government rejected the UK request that the Philippines pay for the cost of the lighthouse and that they provide for its maintenance in the future. The Manila government asserted that
570-521: The deposits of turtle eggs whose collection and sale had since been undertaken by the Philippine Government, and looked into the island’s main industry — copra. The President also visited the second biggest island in the group, Baguan, where most of the turtle eggs are gathered. He spent here another hour inspecting the turtle egg industry. On 8 November 1962 the then-Mayor of Taganak, Timbayan Anam, fled 18 miles (29 km) to Sandakan on
600-417: The green sea turtles and their nesting sites. For the islands, the Philippine government decided to create special protection zones, and within these zones, only scientific and conservation activities are allowed. In other zones, certain rules are adapted to prevent too much impact by people on the environment and the turtles. Visiting these zones is only possible with strict guidance and under supervision of
630-494: The highest point at 148 metres (486 ft). The island is about one mile in length. As one of the Philippine Turtle Islands the island enjoys the historical distinction of being territory that was not under Philippine administration at the time of independence in 1946. The State of North Borneo , a United Kingdom protectorate, administered the Philippine island. The Republic of the Philippines took over
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#1732775282859660-556: The island. The island is owned by the State. In 2014 plans to build a hotel and tourist cottages to boost 'ecotourism' and accommodate tourists for the Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary were approved. The Protected Area Management Board approved a resolution for the construction of a Php 28 million Hotel to be built on Taganak Island. The Abu Sayyaf criminal terrorist group who specialise in kidnap for ransom
690-425: The lighthouse had been severely damaged in the war, that it had not been in operation since its destruction, and that the Philippines did not need its service. The government was willing to lease the site for the lighthouse to North Borneo for one peso per annum, as long as the British needed and used the facility. The United Kingdom view was that the Philippines was required under the terms of the 1930 treaty concerning
720-462: The mud volcanoes in Lihiman. Buchanania arborescens was the most common species encountered, followed by figs ( Ficus spp.), Lumnitzera littorea , Excoecaria agallocha , Xylocarpus granatum , Xylocarpus moluccensis and Ceriops spp. In Bakkungan and Boan, Antidesma spp. grows in the grassland areas. Also, surrounding the active mud volcano on the northern section of Lihiman
750-535: The near-threatened Mantanani scops owl ( Otus mantananensis ) and the Philippine megapode ( Megapodius cumingii ). A possibility of a second otter species in the Philippines had been raised with the recording of two romps (two adults and one pup) of otters in the Turtle islands. Otters found in the island are most likely smooth-coated otters according to otter specialists. The other species that can be found in
780-403: The primary island. Together with three islands of neighbour country Malaysia and the surrounding coral waters, Turtle Islands are one of the world's few remaining major nesting grounds for the green sea turtles . In 1996, the islands were declared as Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area by the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia as the only way to guarantee the continued existence of
810-601: The sea floor to 100 meters (330 ft). On the Northwest. From Tanjong Sempang Mangayau , the North point of Borneo , along the Eastern limit of South China Sea to Cape Calavite, the Northwest point of Mindoro . On the Northeast. The Southwest coast of Mindoro to Buruncan Point, its Southern extreme, thence a line through Semirara and Caluya Islands to Nasog Point ( 11°53′N 121°53′E / 11.883°N 121.883°E / 11.883; 121.883 )
840-415: The staff of the officials of the government. For a successful conservation and protection program, the support of the locals was very important. Fishing, for most of them, is the most important activity and source of income. Hunting sea turtles and collecting the turtle eggs for food, had always been a possible source for additional income. From the end of August to December, turtles come by the hundreds from
870-602: The surrounding coastal waters, to lay and dig their eggs into the sand. The staff of the conservation project were able to succeed in convincing the locals the need to minimize their collecting activities. Local men, women and children, are now involved, helping with the protection activities. Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a national park under Republic Act No. 11038 (Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2018. The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary
900-539: Was active in the vicinity of the island. In 2017 it was reported they had abducted six Vietnamese off Taganak Island. The island is also a transit point for smuggling of goods including turtle eggs. The island has also been cited as a transit point for illegal migration into Malaysia. There is a maritime police station and coast guard station for the security of the island. Sulu Sea The Sulu Sea ( Filipino : Dagat Sulu ; Tausug : Dagat sin Sūg ; Malay : Laut Sulu )
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