Residents in Barangay Sicsican in Puerto Princesa have reported repeated sightings of a crocodile in a river near a local dock, prompting village officials to issue warnings and seek assistance from authorities.
Ronnie Beronio revisited the area on February 19 where he first saw the crocodile a few meters from the docking site.
He was joined by Sicsican barangay chairman Balbino Parangue, and the two rode a boat to check if the animal would appear again.
Parangue said at least two other residents also reported seeing a crocodile in the same river.
“Nagbibigay tayo ng paalala, lalo na sa mga bata, na umiwas muna [sa lugar na ito] kung saan may posibilidad na mayroong buwaya,” Parangue told the media during the trip to the river.
“[May dalawang tao,] nandito na nakakita rin. Sabi ko nga baka bayawak lang yon, pero sabi nila hindi, kasi ang bayawak hindi naman nag-o-open ng mouth yon,” the barangay chairman added.
On February 21, another sighting was reported in Golden Valley, still within Sicsican. Four children and a boat driver spotted the animal.
William Olimberio, a resident, said his neighbors saw the crocodile while they were about to buy gasoline.
“Kaninang umaga may nakakita din at ngayong hapon uli. Apat na bata at isang driver ng bangka na bibili sana ng gasolina ang nakakita. Mga isang dipa daw ang haba ng buwaya at bata pa,” Olimberio told Palawan News.
He said the crocodile was small, about one arm span long, based on the estimate of those who saw it and on a video taken that afternoon.
Parangue said they had already informed the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and are waiting for action.
He did not rule out the possibility that crocodiles may be present in the river due to the wide mangrove area nearby.
The barangay has advised residents, especially children, to avoid the deeper parts of the river. Warning signs will also be placed in areas where the crocodile may be seen again. (with a report from Chris Barrientos)
