Residents of Compostela, Cebu recovered and buried a 13.9-foot and 1.6 feet oarfish, locally known as “liwit”, that was washed ashore in Barangay Poblacion on Monday afternoon.
According to a Facebook post by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the oarfish died after some town residents ripped off its head while trying to pull it from the rocks where it was hiding.
Residents said it was the first time that an oarfish, locally known as liwit, was washed into their waters.
The discovery also sparked discussions on social media.
Some netizens believed that the fish is a sign of bad luck, as it reportedly surfaces only when there is a disaster or calamity coming.
The oarfish is known in Japan as ryugu no tsukai or “messenger from the sea god’s palace,” according to the Japan Times.
Scientists speculate that the bottom-dwelling creatures are more sensitive to seismic shifts.
Photo courtesy: MDRRMO
