[1] Great Bakkungaan is the third largest of the Philippine Turtle Islands at 51 hectares (130 acres) with the highest elevation at 58 metres (190 ft).

In 1997 his heirs decided to sell the island to the children of a local politician, Sadikul A. Sahali who later served as governor of the province of Tawi-Tawi.

By 2007, according to then Governor Sahali, his children were preparing to submit their application to have their ownership of the island registered.

[7] The Abu Sayyaf criminal terrorist group who specialise in kidnap for ransome is active in the vicinity of the island.

[8][9] The following month it was reported that an alleged Abu Sayyaf terrorist was killed in a fire fight with government forces who were conducting maritime security patrol off the waters of Great Bakkungaan.