Manila  - A fisherman was killed in a rare shark attack in the northern Philippines, a police report said Friday.

The report said 38-year-old Joel Bacud suffered shark bites in his rib cage and chest in a rare attack on Thursday off the town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte province, 435 kilometres north of Manila.

Bacud, who was fishing with his son, dived into the water to check his catch when the shark attacked him.

His son immediately called for help from fishermen in the area but when the victim was pulled out of the water, he was already dead.

It was not clear what type of shark attacked Bacud. Villagers said they could not remember similar attack in their area. (dpa)