A 25-year-old fisherman was injured in a crocodile attack while fishing off the waters of Balabac, Palawan last Thursday.
Police Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police-Regional Office 4-B (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan area), said the victim, Janilon Amalong, was fishing using a spear gun at around 1 a.m. when a large crocodile attacked him.
The crocodile reportedly tried to drag the victim away but Amalong was able to free himself with the help of his uncle. The crocodile swam away afterwards.
“As a result, he suffered injuries on the head and left eye,” said Tolentino.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his wounds.
The southernmost part of Palawan is home to saltwater crocodiles.
Experts said crocodile attacks in the southern part of Palawan is a result of people invading the crocodiles’ natural habitat, like constructing houses in the breeding and hunting grounds of the crocodiles. (Aaron Recuenco)
