Boy dies after bitten by crocodile in Palawan: police

September 9, 2019

A 15- year old boy died after he was attacked by a crocodile while diving in Balabac, Palawan Sunday evening.

Lieutenant Colonel Socrates Faltado, spokesperson of the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) police, said the victim was Romilo Miranda, 15, a Grade 8 student.

Initial investigation showed the incident happened around 10 pm at Barangay Indalawan, in Balabac while Miranda, his uncle and two cousins, were diving and fishing.

“After their diving, one of his cousins, Ismael Sarmiento noticed the flashlight used by the victim floating, and suddenly, he saw a crocodile appear on his right side carrying the victim biting his nape going to the deep part of the sea,” said Faltado.

The witness called his uncle and other cousin for help but they were afraid of being bitten by the crocodile.

Authorities are still conducting search and rescue and retrieval operation within the municipal waters of Balabac, Palawan to find Miranda. Ella Dionisio/DMS