Could this huge crocodile spotted in Palawan be larger than 'Lolong'?

A huge crocodile was recently spotted in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan. Could this be the world’s largest crocodile?

According to “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” residents reported seeing a massive crocodile in their area, calling it “Halimaw.” They believe that this could be larger than Lolong, once the world’s largest crocodile in captivity at 21 feet and over 1,000 kg.

Adrecita, a resident, believed her dog was attacked and eaten by “Halimaw.”

“‘Baka mahulog tayo dito, kainin tayo ng buwaya.’ Hindi siya tumigil hanggat hindi ako mag-akyat sa taas. Nung nandoon ako sa lodge, sinilip ko pa siya. Bumalik daw dito sabi ng mga tauhan ko. At saka kinain na siya.”

[I remembered telling my dog that we might fall off and get eaten by crocodiles. My dog didn’t stop until I made it back upstairs, afterwards, it got eaten by the crocodile.]

Meanwhile, a fisherman was reportedly killed by another crocodile.

Milque Palatolon said his father David was attacked by a crocodile while he was fishing in a mangrove site last year.

“Pagkaumaga, wala na, flashlight na lang ang mga nakuha, mga gamit niya dun sa ilalim,” said Milque.

“Bali ‘yung paa tapos durog ‘yung ulo. Kalalaki ng butas pati dito sa katawan.”

[The following morning, he was gone. Only his tools were left in the water. His feet were broken and his head was crushed. His body also had big holes through them.]

Residents said the crocodile, which they called “Itim,” lived in the mangrove swamp, just a few kilometers from residential houses. 

Amid the reported crocodile sightings, Barangay Captain Nelson Acob said the community was safe from harm.

“Ligtas naman ‘yung kanilang bahay in terms of ‘yung taas, lalo na ‘pag nagkaroon ng high tide,” he said.

[Their houses are safe in terms of height, especially when it’s high tide.]

The residents, however, had no choice but to face their fears because fishing was their main source of livelihood.

“Madalas kaming mangisda dun sa pugad ng buwaya kasi ‘yun ang hanapbuhay namin,” said Milque.

[We have no choice but to fish in the crocodiles’ nest because that’s our livelihood.]

The crocodiles were said to be active at night, so on Thursday evening, Milque and a team from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and Coast Guard went to the mangroves to check on the crocodiles that said to inhabit the area.

After reaching the location, they turned off their lights and the boat engine so as not to attract the crocodiles.

During their inspection, the team saw several crocodiles.

“Hindi po nakaharap sa atin kaya ang nakita po natin ‘yung mata, iisa lang. Hindi ko ma-sure kung ‘yun ba ay hinahanap natin o ‘yun ba ay si Itim,” said Marine Sanctuary Guard Yolly Ismael.

[The crocodiles were not looking directly at us. So we’re not sure if it’s what we’re looking for or if it’s Itim.]

But based on the viral video, Yolly said that the crocodile measured at least 17 ft.

According to Palawan Council for Sustainable Development spokesperson John Fabello, a human-crocodile conflict is reported in Bataraza every year.

He said they didn’t capture crocodiles in natural habitats unless there was an attack on other animals.

“Dapat ‘yung buwaya is equal or greater than 10 feet ‘yung laki. Hindi na umaalis doon sa area kung saan palagi siyang nakikita. Nagbabaybay sa mga ilalim ng kabahayan at ikalima, dapat outside ng breeding season,” he said.

[It should be at least 10 feet long, not leaving the area where it is usually seen, lurking underneath houses, and lastly, it should be outside breeding season.]

He also said PCSD had been increasing awareness in communities with “viable population” of crocodiles.

“In-explain namin sa kanila kung ano ‘yung behavior ng buwaya. Kapag gabi na, huwag nang lumusong sa tubig. Kung kailangan lumusong ay gumamit ng bangka na malaki.”

[We explain to them the behavior of crocodiles. Don’t go to the water at night. If you really have to, use a big boat.]

However, many residents continue to live in fear.

“Takot kami. Delikado kasi sa mga anak namin na maliliit,” said one of them. “Hindi puwedeng ipagpalit ang buhay ng tao sa buhay ng buwaya.”

[I fear for my children’s safety, they’re still too young. You can’t exchange human lives for that of crocodiles’.]

—RC/MGP, GMA News