by Ram Maxey
VERY much in the news these days is the raging controversy over a giant salt water crocodile which was recently captured by villagers in the marshes of Nueva Era barangay in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. The villagers believe that this particular crocodile they caught was one of two that had earlier attacked and beheaded a domesticated carabao before their horrified eyes, and most likely may have caused the disappearance of a villager, 53-year old marsh fisherman Daniel Euxtero, some months before which triggered the massive hunt leading to its capture.
The Nueva Era village council headed by barangay captain Teopanis Adlawan decided to keep the croc in captivity as an attraction that would earn some income for Nueva Era. They named the 21-foot long croc “Lolong” in memory of the crocodile hunter from Palawan named Ernesto Goloran “Lolong” Canete who, unfortunately, died of heart attack during the search.
Enter the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) which promptly demanded that Lolong, being an endangered species, be returned to its natural habitat, especially after the saurian had refused to eat “because of the stress brought about by its captivity, causing it to develop the abnormal behavior of losing appetite for food” in the words of the PETA people. Not to be outdone, Bunawan mayor Edwin “Cox” Elorde jumped into the fray on the side of the Nueva Era residents who oppose, for obvious reasons, the demand of the animal rights people to return the crocodile to the wild “where it belongs”. Mayor Elorde has even gone ballistic to the extent of challenging the PETA people to a public debate on whether or not to return Lolong to its natural habitat, thereby further muddling the issue. But should that debate ever come about on the proposition “Resolve: That Lolong be returned to his natural habitat,”with Lolong taking the affirmative side along with PETA.”
We all know that debates are the stuff of life in the Philippine Congress which also happens to be the natural habitat of certain homo sapiens variously referred to in this country by mischievous columnists as senatongs, tongressmen or representathieves) many of whom, after entering its portals, quickly develop an abnormal behavior associated with a voracious appetite for pork barrel funds in aid of reelection (in case they become an endangered species at the end of their three year term.
As of this writing, Lolong remains in captivity and presumably continuing its hunger strike, blissfully unaware that there are human beings out there with bleeding hearts who have taken up the cudgels for his eventual return to the marshes of Nueva Era. But I have a feeling that Lolong, who is neither a politician nor a member of PETA, would not be able to differentiate between Mayor Elorde and a PETA member and hence would not think twice about gobbling up either or both once given the opportunity. So much for politicians and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Long live, Lolong!
