Members of the Palawan Provincial Board have raised fresh concerns over the rising number of human-crocodile encounters in coastal and river waters where residents of Bataraza and Balabac tows earn a living.
Board Member Marivic Roxas, in her floor speech on Tuesday during their regular session, said that reports of crocodile attacks in December of last year revealed families in mourning after the death of a member who had gone into the sea or rivers in pursuit of food.
She told her colleagues that several Balabac residents reported to her that they had never seen so many crocodiles before, leading them to suspect the creatures had arrived from somewhere else.
“Ang kanilang iniisip ay parang mga turista na rin ang mga buwaya na maaaring nanggaling din daw sa Malaysia,” she said.
As a result, Roxas said many residents are now afraid to go out to sea.
She pointed out that sadly, what once sustained their lives has become a source of tragedy.
“Natatakot na ang ilang pamilya dahil natatakot nang lumapit sa dagat o ilog na siya nilang pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan. Sa kasamaang palad, ang kanilang pinagkukunan ng buhay ay pinagmumulan na ng trahedya,” Roxas said.
This is not a simple choice between protecting wildlife and keeping people alive. She said it is a call for a balanced, humane, and science-based approach where communities are safe and biodiversity is still protected.
Roxas also called for stricter measures, including safety protocols, early warning systems, the deployment of experts and responders, sustained information and education campaigns, and social support for affected residents, such as medical assistance, trauma counseling, and alternative livelihoods.
She urged the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Staff, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and concerned local government units to further strengthen policy enforcement and improve crocodile management plans, particularly in handling problematic crocodiles.
“Nananawagan ako ng mabilis na pagkakaisang action. Huwag na nating hintayin ang isa pang trahedya bago tayo kumilos. Siguraduhin natin na walang pamilya ang maaapektuhan o araw-araw na nagdadalamhati o natatakot dahil sa ganitong conflict,” she said.
She also sought updates from concerned agencies on actions that have been taken and those currently being implemented.
Meanwhile, Board Member Rafael Ortega Jr. said the increasing number of crocodile sightings is a growing and alarming concern, particularly in Balabac.
However, he noted that one possible cause is the increasing human population, which has led to encroachment into the crocodiles’ natural habitats, forcing them to move closer to communities.
While there are laws that protect and recognize nature and ecosystems, Ortega pointed out that these laws apply only to humans.
“Ang pagkakaiba nga lang ng buwaya sa tao, tayo ay may pag-iisip, ang buwaya ay based on instincts lang sila. So dapat ang tao ang gumagawa ng paraan para ma-safeguard yung mga mamamayan natin doon,” he said.
He also called for an inquiry involving the PCSD, DENR, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to craft new measures and address possible future crocodile-related incidents.
“Tayo ang may pag-iisip, tayo ang mag-adjust, tayo ang gumawa ng polisiya at estratehiya para magkaroon ng win-win solution at mai-safeguard ang kapakanan ng mga tao,” Ortega said.
Board Member Ferdinand Zaballa, meanwhile, assured that the PCSD is closely monitoring the situation.
Zaballa, who is also a member of the PCSD, said the council is aware of the growing conflict caused by human encroachment into crocodile habitats.
“Naghahanap-buhay yung isa, yung isa naman naghahanap ng pagkain kaya may conflict sa environment. Kung paano sila mag co-exist sa lugar, lahat yan pinag-aaralan at may technical na pag-uusap ang ating personnel at ang mga lokal doon sa Balabac at sa Rio Tuba,” he said.
When fear leads to risky actions
On the night of December 3, a 14.7-foot adult saltwater crocodile was trapped along the shore of Sitio Marabahay in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza.
The crocodile, an endangered estuarine species, was captured around 11 p.m. by a DENR park ranger, prompting the PCSDS to look into reports that the trapping was unauthorized.
“Endangered species yan, hindi naman dapat hinuhuli, unless yan ay nakakagat ng tao o nakapinsala, o problematic siya. Wala namang ginagawa yong buwaya, nandoon lang, pero hinuli,” PCSD Staff spokesperson Jovic Fabello said.
Footage they reviewed showed the crocodile bound with multiple ropes around its neck, mouth, and body.
Fabello said the manner of capture suggested the handlers were untrained, resulting in visible injuries.
The crocodile was seen repeatedly struggling to free itself, which Fabello said may have caused cuts and bruises under its belly and possible internal injuries.
“Hindi sila skilled na trapper, hindi naman sila nakapag-seminar, hindi rin nag-train. May mga tali sa leeg, tali sa bibig, kung saan-saan ang tali. Tapos yong pagkakahila sa buwaya—ang dami niyang sugat sa ilalim,” he said.
“Nakikita ko nga sa video, bini-break niya yong paa niya pati yong buntot niya para hindi siya mahila. Syempre tatama sa bato, sa mga sanga, kaya mahihiwa din ang belly niya. May sugat din sa bandang tenga, sa ulo,” he said.
Authorities also received reports that the animal may have been struck with sticks during the incident.
Fabello stressed that under Republic Act 9147, crocodiles may only be captured by trained responders and only if they pose a clear threat to public safety.
“Yan ang iniiwasan namin. Yong basta lang sila hulihin. Unang-una, mali yong ginawa nang nanghuli. Ayaw namin na magiging precedent yan na lahat pala puwede nang manghuli,” he said.
“Paano kung nakagat sila, di kami rin ang sinisi?” he added.
When crocodile trapping is allowed
Under Philippine law, a crocodile may be removed from the wild only under very limited conditions.
Under Republic Act No. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, a crocodile can be restrained, captured, or relocated only when:
• It poses a direct and imminent threat to human life or public safety, such as after an attack or repeated aggressive behavior in populated areas
• The animal itself is in danger, including injury, illness, or risk of being killed by people
• The action is carried out by authorized and trained personnel, such as those from DENR, PCSDS, or accredited wildlife rescue centers
What the law does not allow:
• Capturing crocodiles out of fear alone
• Trapping for content creation or public display
• Handling by untrained individuals or private citizens
• Preventive capture without proof the animal is problematic
Fabello said a crocodile can only be removed if there is clear danger and the response is official, trained, and justified.
Any other capture is illegal and punishable under the law.
