Public alerted to saltwater crocodile sighting in Sarangani Bay

KORONADAL CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Soccsksargen Region (DENR-12) issued a public warning Thursday following the sighting of a saltwater crocodile in Sarangani Bay and the coastline of General Santos City. The crocodile was spotted Wednesday near Barangay Lun Padidu in Malapatan, Sarangani province. Forester Shalimar Disomangcop, the provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO) for Sarangani, said the reptile was first seen by sea patrol member Roberto Davalos, who quickly notified DENR-12. Garry John Cabinta, an ecosystem management specialist with PENRO Sarangani, shared drone footage showing the crocodile, estimated to be 3 to 4 meters long, sunbathing. 'This could be the same crocodile recently sighted in Purok Minanga, Barangay Buayan, General Santos City, as the two sightings occurred only days apart,' Disomangcop noted. Cirilo A. Lagnason Jr., area superintendent of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), said a local fisherman captured video of the crocodile on Aug. 27 and Sept. 1 while returning from the General Santos City Fish Port. 'We are currently assessing whether the area is a natural habitat for the crocodile, and we will take appropriate measures based on the findings,' Lagnason said, adding that consultations with experts are ongoing to determine the best course of action regarding the crocodile's presence in the protected seascape. Source: Philippines News agency