Experts say crocodile ‘Singko’ killed fisherman; video shows croc capture

Experts in Balabac, Palawan have confirmed that the crocodile they caught last week was the one that killed a local fisherman.

In Ian Cruz' report on "24 Oras", video showed how the massive reptile, now named "Singco," was wrangled after it chomped a slab of goat meat used as bait.

The crocodile was taken to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) where experts said confirmed that it had attacked and killed local fisherman, Cornelo Bonete.

"Inilagay po namin sa 95 percent na siya na," crocodile expert Salvador Guion said.

"Sabi po ng kuya, meron po siyang binabanggit doon na merong marking point sa tail ng crocodile na at sinabi niya po na 'ito na nga ang crocodile na umatake sa aking kapatid'," he added.

"Singco" was named after the settlement where it was captured.

Its victim, Bonete, is now the 12th person to die from a crocodile attack since the year 2000.

Data from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) said there had been a total of 33 attacks throughout the country during this period.

Relocation

Wildlife authorities warned that the capture of a killer crocodile like Singko does not necessarily translate into an area being safe for residents in Balabac.

Unlike Singko where only one crocodile had surfaced, an area called Bugsuk  is said to have at least 10 of them living within every kilometer.

"Puwede pong magkaroon after a week or month na mas marami ang lulutang na mag-aagawan sa teritoryo hangga't sa maiiwan po uling isa," said Guion.

Experts at the PWRCC proposed that residents of settlements near mangroves be relocated.

"Relocation ngayon ang (dapat) gawin sa mga LGU. Hindi naman talaga dapat nila, nakita ko, nandu'n pa yung mga bahay nila sa mga bakawanan," PWRCC director Ronnie Gandeza said.

The PCSD also explained why they cannot simply heed the call of frightened residents to catch crocodiles lurking in their areas.

"Hindi tayo puwedeng mag-extract agad-agad at ubusin 'yang mga buwaya sa isang natural habitat because they play an important role in the river ecosystem," PCSD spokesperson Jovic Fabello said.  —NB, GMA News