Local authorities launched a search and retrieval operation in the waters of Balabac, Palawan following another crocodile attack on a 15-year-old fisherman Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Tomas Apolinario, Police Regional Office 4-B (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) police chief, said the victim was last seen being dragged by a crocodile towards the sea waters off Barangay Indalawan.
He identified the victim as Romilo Sappayani Miranda, Grade 8 student of Indalawan National High School.
“The victim and his uncle and two cousins went diving in the waters of Sitio Bual in Barangay Indalawan to catch fish. After a while, one of them noticed that the flashlight being carried by the victim was floating,” said Apolinario.
“Suddenly a crocodile appeared carrying the victim. The crocodile, according to the victim’s companions, was biting him on the neck,” he added.
But the victim’s three companions were not able to rescue him, for fear that they would be attacked too. (Aaron Recuenco)