Pontevedra Mayor to croc claimant: 'Show proof of ownership'
PONTEVEDRA, Capiz – Mayor Steve Contreras of this town urged Mr. Mahmoud Moein, an Iranian national who claimed ownership to a crocodile captured in Panay river recently, to show proof of his ownership and certificate from Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) and other pertinent papers that he is the real owner of the said wildlife.
“Anybody can claim it to be the owner of the said crocodile thus, I’m asking documents to prove that he is the owner of the said crocodile then I will give it to him,” Contreras said.
Contreras, who has permit from DENR to hold wildlife, has custody of the said crocodile captured by fisherman Antonio Barrera in his fish pen at Jamul-awon, Panay, Capiz last May 29.
Contreras said if Moein can show proof that he is really the owner of the said crocodile then he is willing to give it to him even if he has already compensated Barrera.
Contreras said he spent for the rehabilitation of Barrera's fish pen which was destroyed by the crocodile. He also paid for the fisherman's medical needs since he was wounded during the struggle to catch the said crocodile.
Contreras also revealed that there was crocodile sighting in Brgy. Agbong, some 1.5 kilometers away from the town poblacion.
Earlier, Moein surfaced and claimed that he is the owner of the crocodile and offered a cash reward amounting P10,000 for those who can capture his other missing crocodile.
He claimed that his two crocodiles went missing during the floods brought by typhoon Frank last year.
Moein said that he tried to look for the missing crocodiles along the rivers and creeks but his efforts proved futile.
It was learned that residents along the rivers are now afraid to conduct their fishing activities because of fear of crocodile.