Francisco Gonzales, a 57-year-old fisherman from Calituban Island, died on Wednesday morning, 10 June 2026, after a suspected shark attack in the waters off Talibon, Bohol.
Bohol Island News, citing the Philippine Coast Guard in Talibon, reported that Gonzales was fishing at about 10 a.m. when the incident occurred. He was a resident of the island.
What is known so far
Early information says Gonzales suffered a severe shoulder injury that was suspected to have been caused by a shark. Other fishermen brought him by boat to the Talibon mainland so he could receive medical attention.
Gonzales was later declared dead at Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital. Local authorities are still checking exactly what happened and which injury ultimately caused his death.
The first official details suggest the shark may have been drawn by fish Gonzales had caught and was carrying with him. None of the available reports identify the shark species.
Investigation continues
Police Major Romar Labasbas, chief of the Talibon Municipal Police Station, said police would coordinate with the hospital to clarify the cause of death and the details of the incident.
Authorities are also checking reports of shark sightings in the area. Residents of Calituban Island said sharks have long been known in the waters around the island.
Calituban Island and the location
PhilAtlas places Calituban at roughly 10.2426 N and 124.2931 E. The island belongs to the municipality of Talibon in Bohol province.
The Key Biodiversity Areas dataset lists Calituban and nearby islands in the Talibon area as a marine and terrestrial biodiversity site. The island lies around the Camotes Sea and Danajon Bank, an ecologically important reef system north of Bohol.
Cautious recording
For the shark-attack database, the case is recorded as a fatal, questionable shark attack during fishing. The wording remains cautious because the source describes a suspected shark attack and authorities were still verifying the exact cause and circumstances.
No species is assigned. Without a confirmed identification, the post is not linked to a specific shark species profile.