Girl, 14, dies shielding cousins from snake attack

A 14-year-old girl died after she was bitten by a king cobra known locally as “banakon” while trying to protect her cousins from the snake’s attack at a creek in Barangay Batian, Maitum, Sarangani, on Monday, July 13, 2026.

According to the victim’s uncle, the girl was supposed to go swimming with her three young cousins in a creek when the snake appeared and attempted to attack the children.

The girl hugged her cousins quickly to shield them. As she did so, the snake bit her in the back.

The victim was still able to make it home and told her family about what happened.

Her family rushed the girl to a medical facility but she did not make it there alive.

“Pagdating dito sa bahay… ’Tito, ganito ang nangyari sabi niya… kinagat ako ng ahas na ‘yung tatlong bata sana (matuklaw), sabi niya,” the victim’s uncle, Sannyboy Talis Boone, said.

(When they arrived at the house... Uncle, this is what happened she said... "I was bitten by a snake after it tried to attack the three other kids," she said.)

The local government has extended assistance to the victim’s family.

Authorities reminded the public to monitor children closely to prevent similar incidents from happening and advised those who suffer snake bites to seek medical attention immediately so proper treatment can be administered. —Efren Yunting Mamac, GMA Regional TV News