A man died after being bitten and strangled by a 3.5-meter-long python, locally known as “magkal,” at a dike in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, early Sunday morning, Jan. 11.
The victim, who sustained bites on his knees and arms, was identified as Julius Perez, 35, of Hibao-an Sur in the same district.
According to Capt. Val Cambel, Office-in-charge of Iloilo City Police Station 10, Perez died of strangulation.
The victim was found lying motionless in front of the house of another resident around 4 a.m. with the snake wrapped around his neck.
“Possibly natapakan niya ining magkal kag ginkagat ini sa tuhod kag pagkagatginpuluputan siya sang man-og,” said Cambel.
“Sang nakit-an sang mga tawo sa palibot, dali-dali sila nangayo bulig kag ginpatay ini nga magkal. Pag-bot sang responders dito nabal-an nga [patay na] ang biktima,” he continued.
Residents said they would see snakes at the creek often but it was the first time they saw one this big.
While pythons are non-venomous snakes, they can still inflict harm and even kill humans, if provoked, by wrapping their muscular body tightly around them.IMT
