A 45-year-old fisherman from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, is recovering in the hospital after a needlefish—locally known as bilaan—leapt from the water and pierced his neck while he was fishing early Thursday.
The victim, Edilberto Lacerna, was spearfishing with a companion around 3 a.m. when the incident happened. Rescue teams brought him first to local facilities in Sablayan and Mamburao before transferring him to Batangas Medical Center, where doctors successfully removed the fish lodged in his neck.
His wife, Ma. Annabel Lacerna, said he remains under close observation and is still having difficulty speaking after surgery. “They’re still observing him to ensure there’s no infection under the wound,” she said.
According to his brother-in-law, the needlefish may have been attracted to the light from Lacerna’s headlamp. The companion managed to bring him back to shore, where municipal responders immediately assisted.
The family is appealing for financial assistance as Lacerna continues to recover. His wife said he is their sole breadwinner and that they have six young children depending on him.
