A senior citizen in the town of Dalaguete, Cebu Province was believed to have been bitten by a venomous animal on January 30, 2024.

Maximo Millan, 64 years old, was found lifeless meters away from his house in Barangay Baybayongan.

Based on the wounds he sustained on his leg, his wife suspected that he could have been bitten by a snake.

As the death was instantaneous, she said, it could have been inflicted by a “banakon” (Philippine cobra) based also on the reported sightings of the said snake species in different parts of Cebu recently.

The family has a hard time accepting the incident because Millan, they said, was physically fit, and that he was in a cheery disposition when he left the house for the farm that day.

Dr. Beethoven Bongon, toxicologist at Visayas Memorial Medical Center, bite marks alone cannot confirm if these were caused by a snake, thus thorough examination on the victim is required.

He, however, pointed out that there are earliest signs of a bite by either a “dupong” (viper) or a “banakon” (cobra).

He said that a viper bite would make the affected area appear rotten, while an area affected by cobra bite does not exhibit discoloration.

He offered first-aid ideas on how to deal with patients especially when the incidents occur in far-flung areas. He said the patient should not be moved too much to at least prevent fast circulation of the venom, and not to tie around the area above the bite marks. Instead, a clean cloth and bandage should be wrapped around the affected area.

He said that the patient must be taken to any poison center immediately for the administration of an antidote.

As of this writing, the supply of anti-venom is not sufficient at VSMMC though, he disclosed.

Replenishment is possible by June 2024, he added.

The venom of a Philippine cobra can kill a person within 15 minutes to about two hours.

Meanwhile, provincial police recommended an examination on the body of Millan to put an end to speculations that he was attacked by a cobra. The authorities also called on netizens to refrain from posting on social media platforms if they still lack verified information to prevent spreading disinformation and fear.

Days to the incident in Dalaguete town, two snakes believed to be Philippine cobras were seen in Roosevelt, Barangay Busay, Cebu City. A netizen who uses the handle “Khenny Brian Surbano” took a video of the pair of snakes. As the sighting stirred residents and customers of a nearby dining establishment, a man was seen striking the snakes to death with a pole.

Rainier Manlegro, chief of the Wildlife Monitoring Enforcement Unit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7, said that cobras are not aggressive as they are perceived to be. He pointed out that they only attack when disturbed or provoked.

He added that the presence of cobras indicate a still healthy environment.

They are sighted out in the open fields probably because January is a mating season, he further said.

Manlegro called on the public to report any sightings to the DENR as they have personnel trained to handle wildlife rescue.