Captured croc to be used as bait to find other one
ROXAS CITY – An expert crocodile hunter from Palawan will arrive here to find the other missing crocodile while the captured crocodile which is now under the custody of Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras, will also be used as a bait for its capture.
This strategy will be employed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the municipality of Panay under the stewardship of Mayor Dante Bermejo.
Earlier, DENR has organized a task force to hunt and capture the missing crocodile, which is reportedly roaming around the river in Brgy. Agbong, some two kilometers away from the Pontevedra poblacion.
Mr. Mahmoud Moein, an Iranian national, surfaced and claimed that he is the owner of the crocodile captured by Antonio Barrera from his fishpen in Brgy. Jamul-awon, Panay, Capiz last May 27.
Moein said that the captured crocodile was one of his two crocodiles which went missing during the typhoon Frank last June 21, 2008.
However, Contreras said that he is willing to turn over the said crocodile to Moein once the latter shows his proof as the real owner of the said wild life.
DENR Provincial Chief Dionesio Molina said Moein would be charged in violation of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as Wild Life Act, if he is found raising crocodiles without necessary permits from the government.
The Iranian national admitted that he was not able to secure permit from DENR to keep the said crocodile since he was busy during that time.
Small fishermen in Panay and Pontevedra were affected since they are now hesitant to conduct fishing activities for fear of their lives due to the presence of crocodile.
Jamul-awon Brgy. Captain Alfredo Beriana sought that the said barangay be placed under the state of calamity since fishermen has no income due to the said predicament.