An estimated one-meter-long crocodile was spotted on the island of Bancalaan, Balabac, Palawan, past 4 p.m., April 24.
According to Willie Olorga’s Facebook post, he was shocked and scared when he saw the crocodile because this is the first time that a crocodile has been stranded in their area.
“Baka naligaw lang po ‘yun gawa ng masamang panahon,” said Olorga.
It is said that the crocodile was still circling in the sea until it got dark and it only disappeared the next morning.
He also said that the residents, especially the children, often bathe in the sea, so the elders reminded them to be careful.
“Dobleng ingat po at balaan ang mga naliligo lalo na po ‘yung mga bata at hangga’t maaari ‘wag saktan [ang makikitang buwaya],” said Olorga.
Crocodile attacks in Palawan
Many cases of crocodile attacks have been reported in the province of Palawan.
In December 2018, a giant saltwater crocodile caught in southern Palawan named Singko killed a fisherman.
Singko is now at a crocodile sanctuary in Puerto Princesa, which is already home to another 255 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. It is expected he will be encouraged to breed, due to his “good genes”.
In September 2019, a crocodile snatched a 15-year old boy in Balabac, Palawan.
The teenager went missing and feared dead after a crocodile attacked him while he was catching fish in the sea.
The incident happened less than one month after a 10-year old boy’s dismembered body, a crocodile attack victim was found in Brgy. Salang, Balabac, Palawan.
The child was on board with his two older siblings near the town of Balabac when the crocodile snatched him from the boat.
In October 2019, a fisherman was already dead when authorities recovered him from the mouth of the crocodile who attacked him in Sitio Caguisan, Barangay Salang, in Palawan.
According to Palawan Provincial Police Office, the victim Junick Husin and certain Edgar Legazpi, were aboard their boat and trying to catch squid when their boat hit the crocodile. The boat capsized, and the crocodile attacked Husin.