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In July 1972, the ship MV Karagatan, which was carrying weapons destined to the New People's Army from China, ran aground on the reefs surrounding the area and was intercepted by the security forces. This incident later became the reasons Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos cited in his subsequent decision to impose his Martial Law dictatorship two months later. The wreckage of the ship is a highlight of diving activities in the area, alongside the adjacent coral reefs.
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A stretch of white-sand beach facing the Pacific Ocean.
A pristine blue-colored lagoon curiously situated further south from downtown Palanan, at a significant distance inland from the coast. There is no visible outlet, although there are fishes living inside of it apart from a spillway that channels some of its waters towards the Palanan River.
Palanan Church
Palanan's main Roman Catholic church. It retains three bells from the Spanish era.
A small memorial to Emilio Aguinaldo and Palanan's heyday as the last capital of an independent Philippines fighting against the American occupation. It was built on the site of Aguinaldo's residence, where he was also captured by the Americans on March 23, 1901, a day after his birthday.
A stretch of black-sand beach facing Palanan Bay that forms a sandbar at the mouth of the Palanan River.
A stretch of white-sand beach facing Palanan Bay. Its name derives from the soft sand light enough for human feet to sink through.