Headless Body of 12 Year Old Student Attacked by Giant Crocodile in Agusan Marsh

March 11, 2009

ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur- The headless body of a twelve year old female student which was attacked by a 30-foot long crocodile Tuesday evening was found this morning in Agusan Marsh, says Executive Director of Save Agusan Marsh Volunteers Ruel Hipolan.

Hipolan identified the victim as Rowena Romano, 12, a student of Agusan Marsh floating school and a resident of Barangay San Marcos, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

In a report by Hipolan to authorities, Romano was going home aboard a boat with her classmate and another companion late afternoon Tuesday cruising Lake Mahaba in Barangay San Marcos when the 30-foot giant crocodile attacked them from behind.

A portion of the wooden boat was damaged because of the giant crocodile attack.

Because of the sudden rampage of the giant crocodile, authorities ordered evacuation of some 18 floating families living as one community for years in Agusan Marsh, one of the biggest body of freshwater in Asia covering nearly 100,000 hectares

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional Office sent a letter to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza for coordination and assistance in the plan to catch the 30-foot crocodile now still swimming the waters of the Agusan Marsh, Hipolan said.