By AARON RECUENCO, with a report from Jerry J. Alcayde
A fisherman wrestled with a 15-foot crocodile to save his 15-year-old son in Balabac, Palawan Saturday afternoon, police said yesterday.
Supt. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the PNP regional office, identified the victims as Rosmin Buara and his son Karik, residents of Sitio Dumaga in Barangay Salang.
Both victims survived the attack and were recovering from the hospital.
Tolentino said Karik was busy tending to the motor banca and did not notice the approaching saltwater crocodile.
“It was his mother who was alerted of the attack when he started screaming for help,” said Tolentino.
Shocked and helpless, Karik’s mother rushed home to seek his husband’s help.
Armed with a bolo, Rosmin found his son struggling to free himself in shallow water and wrestled with the large reptile.
Rosmin forced the crocodile to let go of his son when he stabbed its eyes, according to Tolentino.
“He immediately swam to save his son and managed to rescue him,” said Tolentino.
“Both victims suffered wounds in the different parts of their bodies. They were taken to the hospital for treatment,” she added.
The town of Balabac, located in the southernmost part of Palawan, is composed of several islands. The southernmost part of Palawan is home to saltwater crocodile.
Police reported that there were several crocodile attacks in Balabac and nearby towns, some of them are children.