08-07-2025
King cobra rescued in Miag-ao, Iloilo
A king cobra was rescued by a snake-handling expert in Miag-ao town, Province of Iloilo.
The king cobra had just devoured reportedly another snake when it was rescued in Barangay Mat-y, Miag-ao on July 7, 2025.
The king cobra was placed inside a big empty plastic water bottle.
The snake was turned over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
'Actually tinatawag yan na king cobra kasi ang kanyang kinakain ay tulad niyang ahas,' said Isidro Mosura, officer in charge of Miag-ao MENRO.
The king cobra has a length of about three meters. It was found in a land property owned by a university.
According to a social media post of Miag-ao MENRO, the king cobra is among Ophiophagus species which is endemic to Panay Island.
Mosura said that the said species abound in Panay Island. It is referred to locally as 'manogwason, managwason, panogwason,' and 'baraw.'
The king cobra's niche are the forests, sugarcane fields, and places where water abounds.
It is the nature of the king cobra, Mosura said, to avoid human beings. But it becomes dangerous only when cornered.
Mosura has advised the public to avoid getting near a king cobra, or to maintain a safe distance of not less than three meters.
He urged the public to allow the king cobra to slither away.
'Huwag kang gumalaw upang hindi siya ma-provoke na tuklawin ka,' Mosura added.
In case of an injury at the strike of a king cobra, the patient must seek immediate medical attention, as king cobras are venomous.
Miag-ao MENRO turned over the king cobra to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in the Municipality of Guimbal for appropriate care.
(via GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas Desk)
