Autopsy ordered on ‘snake victim’

CEBU, Philippines — To really establish the cause of death of a farmer in Dalaguete, Cebu who was believed to have been bitten by a snake last Tuesday, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has ordered an autopsy on the victim.

Police Major Windell Abellana, CPPO public information officer, yesterday said CPPO Director Percival Zorrilla instructed that the autopsy be made to put to rest speculations that the victim, identified as Maximo Millan, a farmer, may have been bitten by a cobra, locally called “banakon”, due to recent sightings of the snake all over Cebu.

This seemed to be given credence by two puncture wounds found in his left knee.

“Para mahibaw-an nato kung unsay cause of death. So that it would be scientific ang atong approach on the matter. Kay lisod man maghimo ta’g atong kaugalingong assessment without basis,” Abellana said.

He advised the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media so as not to create panic.

“Mag–careful ta instead of giving premature information. Maka-create ra na siya og adverse effect sa atoang community,” he said.

Abellana said that once the result is out, only then that the public should conclude that Millan was indeed, or not, killed by a snake, especially since there was no witness as to what really happened.

The autopsy, he said, would also establish whether or not Millan’s death was caused by an underlying health condition.

In a telephone interview, Police Major Clemente Ceralde, Jr. of Dalaguete Police Station told The Freeman the other day that they saw no signs that would indicate that another person killed Millan.

Investigation showed that Millan left his house Tuesday morning to pasture his animals but he did not return. He was found lifeless in a grassy lot around 11:40 a.m.

With the rash of snake sightings that experts attributed to this time being a mating season, Abellana urged the public to be alert and cautious in areas that are likely to have the presence of snakes, especially the banakon.

He advised, though, not to kill the snakes but to report the sighting to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, or the barangay officials so they can capture the reptile.

He also urged those who get bitten by snakes to immediately seek medical attention from the nearest medical provider. — /RHM (FREEMAN)