ISLAND Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Mayor Al David Uy quashed rumors about the alleged presence of "wakwak" (vampiric bird) on the island.
During an interview Thursday morning, January 12, Uy assured the public that there is no "wakwak" roaming around the city, contrary to earlier claims.
He also revealed that the area, which is rich in natural habitats such as trees, is home to many kinds of bats and other types of birds.
The mayor also explained that one of the known flying creatures on the island is the 'Black-crowned Night Heron' or locally known as 'Lapay' which usually flies at night.
"Na-preserved pa ang natural nga area sa Samal, naa pay daghang mga kahoy, so daghang mga kabog [kuwaknit], daghan pa'g mga dagko nga mga langgam, kanang 'Lapay' mga 'Black-crowned Night Heron' ang tawag niana, so seguro nilupad ning kabog (bat) nilupad ning Lapay, unya naay hubog nga niagi, ah... wakwak ang resulta (Samal’s natural area has been preserved, we still have a large forest area, so you can see presence of bats, we have many large birds, particularly the Lapay. A drunkard may have mistaken them as wakwak)," Uy said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
While there are no wakwak on the island, he said there are many snakes like banakon or king cobra.
"Wala may wakwak sa Samal, naay daghan, banakon (There are no wakwak in Samal. What we have are banakon)," the mayor said.
In a recent SuperBalita Davao report, a wakwak was allegedly spotted flying at a purok in Babak District on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
A SuperBalita source traced the story and found out that some residents of Babak District were in a frenzy because they claimed to see what seemed to be a large bird-like creature flying overhead.
"Nakita gyod namo, dako kaayong langgam, gikan sa kawayanan, dayon mitingog og... wak, wak, wak... palayo ang lupad (We saw a very large bird coming from the bamboo, then it sounded... wak, wak, wak... then it flew away)," said Emilio Calderon, 56, who spoke to the source of SuperBalita Davao.
When the information spread, some residents were afraid but called it a hoax.
Rolando (name withheld), a 50-year-old farmer, said he doubts that it was a "wakwak."
According to him, it was just a bird, as he has heard many different sounds of birds at night.
The barangay of the area told residents not to be afraid and that there is no need to worry because Babak District is safe from any "wakwak." JPC