Missing croc seen lurking in Panay
ROXAS CITY – The other missing crocodile being hunted by officials was seen along the boundary of Barangay Libon and Binantucan, Panay, Capiz last week.
Brgy, Kagawad Virgilio Basilonia said that Antonio Solano told him that he saw the crocodile however, the said wildlife was able to escape when they tried to approach it.
Earlier, an expert crocodile hunter from Palawan arrived to find the other missing crocodile using the captured crocodile now under the custody of Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras as bait.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (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.
Earlier, 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.