Fisherman in critical condition after being struck by snouted fish

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - A Moro fisherman is in critical condition after having been struck on his chest on Thursday by a fish with a sharp jagged snout while baiting for tuna.

In a report Friday, the Brigada FM Radio News in Cotabato City identified the fisherman as Alim Lumping, 44, an ethnic Iranon residing in Bonggo Island, about 5 kilometers off Parang town in the first district of Maguindanao. 

Lumping was on board his banca trying to catch bigger fishes when a school of balu, resembling small baraccudas but have elongated bodies and sharp pointed snouts with protruding teeth started jumping out the sea, apparently spooked by an approaching motorized boat.

A flying balu hit Lumping, perforating his chest with its sharp long snout.

Lumping was rushed by barangay leaders to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City with the help of the local government of Parang.

Attending physicians have yet to remove the fish snout embedded on the victim’s body.