ILOCOS SUR – A 25-year-old fisherman got wounded in a shark attack while fishing in parts of South China Sea in Barangay Villamar in the town of Caoayan last Saturday.
The victim, Benan Reintegrado, was on a motorized banca with his father, and as he tried to catch a small fish, a shark suddenly attacked him and bit his right leg.
“Umaahon na ako at nakakapit sa banca ng bigla na lamang may kumagat sa hita ko at parang gusto niya akong hilain. Buti na lamang at nakakapit talaga ako. Nang tignan ko, pating pala at dahil tumutulo na ang dugo, sinabi ko sa tatay ko na itakbo na niya ako dahil hindi ko na kaya ang sakit,” said Reintegrado.
Reintegado got 15 stitches on his right leg.
“Sabi nga sa akin ng doktor, maswerte ako sa pangalawang buhay ko na ito. Gayunpaman, hindi ko naman masasabi na hindi na ako papalaot dahil doon naman ako kumikita para sa pamilya ko. Takot man pero sa susunod siguro, mas magiging maingat na ako,” Benan Reintegrado added.
Sightings of sharks are normal in the area, but some fishermen cannot stop fishing because this is their only source of living.
However, after this incident, they said they will now become more cautious.
The fisheries regulatory officer in this province advised the fishermen not to get near the sharks or any other “big” fish they may encounter.
“Huwag nilang lalapitan, baka matiyempohan pa nila yung mga talagang nangangat na pating, hindi kasi lahat ng klase ng pating mababait. Kailangan din siguro natin na ipaalala na kapag nakakita sila, hindi lang ng pating maging ng iba pang endangered species, huwag nilang gagalawin dahil mabigat ang violations,” Ilocos Sur Fisheries Regulatory Officer Benny Saraos said.
Based on records, coral sharks are the most common species sighted in Ilocos Sur waters.
Soruce : http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/13/17/fisherman-injured-after-shark-attack-off-ilocos