PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines -- A seven-year-old boy died after being attacked by a crocodile in Rizal town, Palawan, about 203 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City Wednesday afternoon, police reported Thursday.

The victim, identified as Mostaqem M. Ibrahim, a resident of Sitio (sub-village) Sumorom, Barangay (village) Ransang, was reportedly swimming in the river with his brother Jadnor when he was attacked by the crocodile at around 1 p.m.

Jadnor told authorities he heard his brother cry for help and saw him being bitten by the animal before it disappeared into the water.

The victim's mud-soaked body was found by local residents the following morning.

Another group managed to catch a 15-foot crocodile before the boy's body was found. They cut open its stomach but found nothing.

Personnel of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center based in Puerto Princesa City have been dispatched to track down the crocodile responsible for the boy's death.

In November 2006, the head of a 9-year-old girl believed to have been eaten by a crocodile was recovered in a river in the same town.

The victim, Joanna Crisostomo, resident of Barangay Panalingaan, was crossing a shallow river with her 11-year-old brother after watching television at a neighbor's house when she was attacked.

In the past, a child was also reported killed by a crocodile in the Bacungan River in Puerto Princesa City.