A man was injured after he was reportedly attacked by a crocodile in the Tagumagas River in Brgy. Labog, Sofronio Española, Palawan, early Tuesday morning, 8 April.

The victim was identified as Amado Soliman, an adult resident of the area.

According to Barangay Captain Isaac Arcona of Brgy. Labog, the victim personally sought his help earlier yesterday, bearing a large wound on his thigh after being bitten by a crocodile while gathering shrimp in the river.

The victim told him that he was alone and was searching the riverbed when the crocodile suddenly attacked him. Fortunately, he was able to fight back.

"He said he was alone, gathering shrimp, when the crocodile suddenly bit his leg. The water was only waist-deep, but the crocodile was already pulling him deeper until the water was up to his nose. Thankfully, he remembered that he had a knife with him, which he stabbed into the crocodile’s body. When the knife sank in, he felt the grip loosen, and the crocodile let go of him, allowing him to escape and call for help," Arcona said.

Arcona added that he immediately brought the victim to the hospital, but due to the severity of his injury, he was later transferred to Leoncio Hospital in the town of Brooke's Point.

He noted that crocodiles have long been sighted in the area, which is why he continues to warn his constituents to be cautious when going there.

"Crocodiles have long been seen in that area, but it remains a major source of livelihood for the locals," the barangay official said.

Still, he said they never fail to remind residents to be careful because the place is dangerous. If they cannot avoid going to the river to gather food, Arcona is appealing to them to exercise extra caution.