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THE WORK OF ‘MAMA RANGER’ IS NEVER DONE
World-renowned Tubbataha Reef’s superintendent welcomes stronger protection for sharks forged in COP20, but says more needs to be done for the reef’s rich biodiversity.
REMOTE ranger station at Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, where rangers protect the marine reserve from illegal fishing and monitor diving activity. Under the leadership of Angelique “Mama Ranger” Songco, Tubbataha has become a global model for marine conservation, safeguarding over 70 species of sharks and rays, including tiger sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. The park’s rich biodiversity—including 360 coral species, 600 fish species, sea turtles, dolphins, and migratory seabirds—highlights the importance of protected areas in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable shark tourism. SIMON GURNEY | DREAMSTIME.COM
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By Jonathan L. Mayuga
UANG NIH PROVINCE, Vietnam—The recent approval of all seven proposals for stronger shark and rays protection by the majority of the parties in the recent 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP20) is a big win for conservation advocates worldwide, according to the Protected Area Superintendent of the world-famous Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
ANGELIQUE “Mama Ranger” Songco of the Philippines, celebrated for her leadership at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, is honored by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump at the International Women of Courage Award in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2025. Songco has championed stronger protections for sharks and rays, helping preserve one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. STATE DEPARTMENT/FREDDIE EVERETT
DIVERS glide through the crystal-clear waters of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, alongside a reef shark. Under the guidance of Angelique “Mama Ranger” Songco, the park’s rangers safeguard its vibrant marine life, including over 70 species of sharks and rays, 360 coral species, and hundreds of fish species, making Tubbataha a global beacon of marine conservation. SIELEE | DREAMSTIME.COM
For the Philippines, which added a strong voice for shark conservation and protection, it means helping save the species from illegal wildlife trade (IWT), which has pushed some of the endangered sharks and rays to the brink of extinction. Over 70 species of sharks and rays gained stronger protection measures as a result of the approval of the proposals, where species
of concern were uplisted in CITES, strictly regulating, if not totally prohibiting, international trade. Interviewed at the sidelines of the Asean Heritage Parks Conference here on Thursday, Angelique Songco, who is famously known as “Mama Ranger,” said that while sharks and rays are already protected in Tubbataha Reef, which is known for its vibrant marine ecosystem, sharks and rays alike need
stronger protection elsewhere. Songco is well known for her strong advocacy for the environment. She was named Hero of the Environment by WWF-Philippines twice. Tubbataha Reefs won the Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Award, now known as Blue Parks, and was named one of the three best-managed, large, no-take, marine pro-
tected areas in the world under her watch. Songco’s passion for defending the marine environment was also put to the test years ago when she pushed action to demand payment from the US government for the damage caused by a US Navy vessel to the reef. Washington paid the equivalent of over P80 million in compensation. Last year, despite Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 59.0700 n JAPAN 0.3809 n UK 78.7285 n HK 7.5904 n CHINA 8.3539 n SINGAPORE 45.5998 n AUSTRALIA 39.0394 n EU 68.7870 n KOREA 0.0400 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.7415 Source: BSP (December 5, 2025)