A 30-year old local in Barangay Sebaring, Balabac is the latest victim of a crocodile attack.
The incident was reported on Thursday, with the victim suffering from multiple bite wounds but managing to escape from the deadly predator with the help of his relative.
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) spokesperson Jovic Fabello identified the victim as 30-years-old Boyet Cayao, son of an official at Sitio Sebaring 2, Barangay Sebaring.
Fabello said Cayao is the first crocodile attack victim reported in the area of Sebaring, a coastal village with some homes built close to the water.
He added he is also the first crocodile attack victim in Palawan this year.
“Pag-uwi niya sa bahay, nilakad lang niya kasi low tide daw, noong malapit na siya sa bahay nila sinugod at inatake siya bigla ng buwaya,” Fabello said.
Cayao was reportedly rescued by a relative who fought off the crocodile by repeatedly striking its head with a hard object.
“Ang pagkaka-describe lang malapad ang buwaya meaning kung malapad, ang probability malaki rin ito,” Fabello said.
“Ang buwaya daw pala na ito matagal ng umaaligid-aligid sa silong ng bahay nila (biktima),” he added.
Sebaring barangay chairman Malvin Toledo said in an interview Friday that Cayao had just left the house of his sibling when he was attacked.
“Galing sa bahay ng kapatid niya sa kabilang baybayin lang, pauwi na ng bahay nila na naglalakad sa gilid ng aplaya dahil ang bahay nila ay nasa gilid ng dagat na naaabot lang ng tubig. Pasado alas diyes nang ma-encounter niya ang buwaya sa tubig habang paakyat na siya ng bahay,” Toledo said.
He said Cayao sustained 22 bite marks on his legs and other parts of the body.
Toledo said their barangay has warned coastal residents in Sebaring to be alert against other crocodile attacks.
“Dinala agad si Boyet sa pier ng Buliluyan para maihatid sa ospital at hanggang ngayon ay nandoon pa okay naman daw ang kalagayan na niya,” he said.
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