The mayor of Panglao town in the Province of Bohol has ordered the temporary closure of a snorkeling site in the island following the vandalizing of corals.

According to Mayor Edgardo Arcay, the snorkeling site in Virgin Island will be closed beginning September 9, 2024.

The Bohol Provincial Government has also offered P200,000 cash reward to persons who can provide information on the vandal. A video provided by a Korean national has shown that a Pinoy tour guide had scrawled the graffiti himself on the corals.

“Mo-request tas mga national agency noh kabahin aning mga dive shops noh nga mo-check gyud kinsa nang mga dive shops nga nag-illegal. Atong i-enforce gyud nga ang pwede maka-business sa atong diving industry kani ra kyung mga legal," Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said.

Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, former mayor of Panglao, urged for an inventory of dive shops in the island. He pointed out that the incident happened because of the growing number of alleged illegal dive shop operators in Panglao.

“It has been happening for quite a while. Mao ni resulta aning daghang illegal dive shops. Mo-conduct gyud og inventory, kanang mga dili lisensyado ato jud nang imbestigaron kinsa gyud ning mga tawhana ang involved,” Dumaluan said. 

Reef rangers confirmed of the presence of graffiti on corals beginning July 1, 2024. Upon their return on August 30, 2024, the graffiti were noticed to have increased in number. 

In an investigation, 13 names were found etched on the corals such as Mojak, Min, Soyun, Tom, and many others. It was learned that these are names of guests and snorkeling guides.

(via Leo Udtohan/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)