The Philippine Online Chronicles

Villagers captured a 21-foot long saltwater crocodile along a creek in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur on Sunday. It is reportedly the largest of the species to be caught alive in the Philippines.

Mayor Cox Elorde said that the crocodile, weighing almost one ton, will be transformed “from a threat into an asset” as they intend to house it in the planned ecotourism park in the province.

Elorde said that the crocodile, caught after three weeks of hunting, is suspected of having attacked several people and some animals in the town.

The Bunawan local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Division set up traps to capture the animal. The crocodile is currently being kept in Barangay Masapya while waiting to be transferred to a more secure area.

Some reports claim that another male crocodile is loose in the area.

In light of the news, some netizens are using the crocodile as a basis for political humor and commentary.

“The time has come, the Philippines will also be known as the CROCODILE COUNTRY to the whole world,” a comment in Inquirer said. “This is true, because there are plenty of corrupt people here in the Philippines, that just like crocodiles, will eat any living creature in his front.”

One reader added, “Mas marami nyan [crocodiles] dito sa Manila, nasa tanggapan ng BIR, Bureau of Customs, DPWH, City Hall, LTO, DENR, etc. Mas malalaki at matataba... lechon, paella, alimango at sugpo ba naman ang pagkain araw-araw...”

Some Facebook users also posted, “A giant crocodile has been found. Please count the members of Congress to see if someone's missing.”