A man was attacked and bitten by a crocodile while picking shrimps in a river near Sofronio Española yesterday morning, April 8, but he fought it off.
The incident happened in Barangay Labog and the victim was identified as Amado Soliman.
Isaac Arcona, the barangay captain of Labog, told Palawan News that the victim came to him directly for assistance. Soliman was suffering from a serious cut on his thigh, which was caused by a crocodile bite that occurred when he was collecting shrimp in the river.
Soliman was reportedly alone and was searching the riverbed when the crocodile suddenly attacked him.
However, he was strong enough to fight back, and the animal finally let go of its leg.
“Mag-isa lang daw s’ya na kumukuha ng kamaron nang bigla daw siyang sakmalin ng buwaya sa paa. Hanggang bewang nga lang daw ang tubig pero hinihila na daw s’ya pailalim hanggang sa may ilong na n’ya ang tubig at mabuti ay naalala nito na may dala siyang kutsilyo na kanyang isinaksak sa katawan ng buwaya,” he said.
“Nung bumaon ang kutsilyo at nakaramdam daw s’ya na medyo lumuwag at binitiwan na s’ya ng buwaya kaya s’ya nakawala at nakahingi ng tulong,” Arcona added.
Arcona recalled that he promptly took the victim to the hospital; however, due to the seriousness of the injury, the victim was subsequently transferred to Leoncio Hospital in the town of Brooke’s Point.
He noted that crocodiles have long been sighted in the area, which is why he continues to warn his constituents to be cautious when going there.
“Matagal na rin may nakikita dyan na buwaya pero malaki kasi ang bilang na dyan talaga ang source ng pinagkukunan nila ng pangkabuhayan,” he stated.
Nevertheless, he said that they consistently emphasize the importance of caution to the residents, as the location is hazardous.
Arcona is urging them to exercise heightened caution if they are unable to avoid going to the river to obtain sustenance.
