A massive sunfish weighing about 200 kilograms washed ashore dead in Calaparan, Iloilo City, on Thursday, May 20, 2026, prompting an investigation after a police officer admitted firing warning shots near the marine animal. Authorities said the officer mistook the fish for a shark and fired into the water out of concern for public safety. (Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Montaño)
ILOILO CITY – A giant sunfish weighing around 200 kilos washed up dead on the shores of Calaparan, Iloilo City, according to local police on Thursday.
The discovery sparked an inquiry after reports surfaced that a police officer had fired shots near the animal.
According to Police Captain Michael Tuburan, officer in charge of the Arevalo Police Station, the incident began when the Urban Search and Rescue team contacted 911 regarding a large fish spotted in the area.
A drone deployed to assess the situation captured footage of a boat and an individual firing a gun toward the water, where the fish was seen.
