Two oarfish were washed ashore in Ligao City, Albay, local authorities confirmed.

Measuring around 3.2 meters in length and weighing approximately 8-10 kilograms, the oarfish were turned over to authorities and buried at a mangrove-protected area, following local protocols.

The city’s Coastal Resource Management (CRM) decided to bury the fish immediately after the find was starting to draw attention from locals.

"Yun nga po ang ano ng isang local dito kaya pumunta samin kasi hindi nila kilala yung isda, first time lang pong makakita ng mga tao dito [ng oarfish] so nagki-create na po ng attention kaya nag-decide kami na ilibing nalang po," Bob Porcalla, CRM and tourism coordinator, said.

Some residents believe that the appearance of such a rare species could be a sign of an impending natural disaster.

But the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol clarified that the emergence of oarfish, while a rare occurrence, could be influenced by various factors in the ocean that affect their sensitivity.

"Kadakol mga triggering factors kung tano nagsu-surface sinda, one as I have mentioned sensitive sinda, ining mga sea creatures na ini, ining oarfish, sensitive sinda sa mga stress sa irarom [kan karagatan], so kapag may mga disturbances sa irarom yan ang mga tendency ninda,” Wheng Briones, spokesperson for BFAR Bicol, said.

This incident marks the fourth recorded sighting of an oarfish in the region.

BFAR reminded the public to report such occurrences for proper disposition and documentation in the future.