Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 3 expressed alarm on Monday over the proliferation of an invasive species of turtle that now threaten Central Luzon's local fish population and other aquatic animals. DENR Region 3 Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said his office has been receiving complaints from fishpond owners and operators about the turtle species preying on local fish species, particularly bangus and tilapia fingerlings. Citing the complaints, Dichoso identified the problem as the growing population of the invasive Chinese softshell turtle, the scientific name of which is "pelodiscus sinensis."

Regala, F. G. (2013, February 6). Chinese turtles infest CL fishponds. Manila Bulletin, p. 12.