KIDAPAWAN CITY — Police were stunned to discover nine King cobras hidden in a bag during a checkpoint stop in M'lang, Cotabato province, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Cotabato Police Provincial Office Director, Police Colonel Gilberto Tuzon, said the man, identified as "Rommel," was stopped at a gun ban checkpoint at the M'lang Municipal Police Station while riding a motorcycle and carrying a bag. Upon searching the bag, officers were shocked to find the snakes inside.
Given the risk of being bitten, the police chose to release Rommel, as he was reportedly skilled in capturing snakes. However, the police later admitted that they should have handed the snakes to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The local government of M'lang has since warned snake hunters to turn over any captured King cobras to the DENR, as these venomous snakes pose a significant danger. EEF