NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental — A 74-year-old man died hours after sustaining injuries in what witnesses and police described as a suspected needlefish attack while he was swimming with his family at a beach resort in Naawan on December 13, raising serious questions over resort safety measures and emergency response.
Police confirmed that the victim, a senior citizen from Marawi City, was injured at around 3:20 p.m. while bathing at the beachfront of BEAT Naawan Resort – Beach Eco Adventure and Tourism. The fish involved was believed to be a needlefish, locally known as “balo,” a long, slender marine fish with a sharp, spear-like beak that can inflict deep and potentially fatal wounds when startled.
According to the Naawan Municipal Police Station and Police Regional Office–Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), the man sustained a lacerated wound on his upper arm or shoulder. He was initially rushed to Manticao Provincial Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Iligan City, where he died at around 8 p.m. the same day.
“Based sa information nga gihatag sa pamilya ngadto sa resort nga ang gikamatyan is cardiac arrest,” PRO-10 spokesperson Major Joan Navarro said, adding that the death occurred hours after the reported attack.
Eyewitness Accounts Cite Delayed Response
An eyewitness who attempted to render aid disputed the resort’s account, saying the response was delayed and inadequate.
The witness said he was standing near the pool area, about 25 meters from the victim, when he heard frantic cries for help — “Tabang” and “Tulong” — and saw the man struggling in the water while swimming with his family. He claimed two beach staff members were nearby but did not immediately respond and continued talking, despite repeated calls to summon an ambulance.
The eyewitness said he rushed to assist the victim in the water. Upon reaching him, blood was reportedly gushing from the wound. The witness used his jacket to cover the injury and asked for a first aid kit. A staff member identified as Lloyd from BEAT Naawan provided one, but it allegedly contained only a small amount of antiseptic.
Repeated inquiries about the arrival of an ambulance reportedly went unanswered. Due to the severity of the bleeding and the urgency of the situation, the group decided to transport the victim themselves to the hospital, with resort staff guiding them on the route. Despite these efforts, the man did not survive.
The eyewitness further alleged that, based on their observations and photos and videos taken at the scene, there were no visible warning signs about hazardous marine life, no clearly designated safe swimming areas, no evident lifeguard supervision at the beachfront, and no disclosed risks for swimmers. He said multiple other witnesses corroborated these claims.
Resort Denies Negligence, Calls Incident an ‘Act of God’
In an official statement, BEAT Naawan Resort expressed sympathy to the victim’s family but rejected allegations of negligence, describing the incident as “sudden and unexpected.”
“It is important to emphasize that this was an act of God involving a wild marine animal in its natural habitat — an event that no one could have anticipated or wished to happen,” the management said.
The resort maintained that its on-duty lifeguards responded without delay, administered first aid, coordinated with the victim’s relatives, and facilitated his transport to the hospital while awaiting ambulance assistance.
“Our staff acted swiftly, responsibly, and with genuine compassion throughout the incident. While the open sea is a natural environment beyond the resort’s direct control, our team remained proactive and fully engaged in providing assistance and coordination at every step,” the statement read.
Management also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading what it called misinformation and unfounded accusations, stressing that the incident was documented by police and that the resort is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Tourism Office Conducts Surprise Inspection
Amid public concern and online discussions surrounding the incident, personnel from the Naawan Tourism Office conducted a surprise inspection at BEAT Naawan Resort on Wednesday, December 17.
In a statement, the Tourism Office said it met with resort management, safety personnel, and lifeguards to discuss the incident and review safety and security protocols. The office said its recommendations were “positively received” and are set to be implemented by the resort.
“The Naawan Tourism Office is dedicated to helping ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and tourists, and we are committed to working closely with tourism stakeholders to address concerns, promote transparency, and uphold responsible tourism practices in Naawan,” the office said.
Investigation Ongoing
Police said the case remains under investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including the nature of the injury, the emergency response, and compliance with safety standards.
Needlefish attacks are rare, but experts note that the species’ sharp beak can cause severe trauma when contact occurs, particularly in shallow coastal waters.
As authorities continue to probe the incident, the victim’s death has ignited broader calls for stricter safety measures, clearer risk disclosures, and improved emergency preparedness at beach resorts, especially those catering to families and senior citizens.