2 dolphins dead, 6 others in critical condition in Palawan

Two dolphins died over the weekend and six others remain in critical condition after being stranded off Coron in Palawan in western Philippines, the Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday. The cause of the dolphins' deaths remains unknown as of the moment, but the PCG is now coordinating with the local government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to see what can be done to save the six other mammals, PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said.

"Wala pang official report kung anong nangyari (There is no official report yet on what happened)," Balilo told GMANews.TV over the phone. "Pinag-aaralan nila anong gagawin sa anim pa, titingnan nila kung may mga sugat (They're still studying what can be done to the six, checking if there are any wounds)," he added. Balilo said authorities are checking if the dolphins can still be sent back to the sea. As of the moment, Coast Guard personnel and local government employees are keeping watch over the six dolphins. In February last year, around 500 dolphins were stranded off Pilar town in Bataan province. [See: BFAR addresses stranding of 500 dolphins] The dolphins eventually found their way into the open seas. [See: Stranded melon-headed whales found way to open seas, Bataan gov says] — with Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV