A PHYTON at Villamor Airbase disrupted the preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s scheduled arrival on Monday morning, August 5.
The reptile was spotted near the Maharlika Presidential Hangar just as members of the Presidential Security Command were securing the area for the President’s arrival.
Soldiers rushed to subdue the snake, which was later identified as a reticulated python.
During the capture, a Philippine Air Force personnel was reportedly bitten and had to be brought to the hospital for immediate treatment. He is currently in stable condition, according to Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, commander of the Philippine Air Force.
The python was successfully restrained and placed inside a sack with the help of other security personnel.
Cordura said it was the first time they had encountered such an incident at the base, but added that it was not a cause for alarm.
He added that the military will now take steps to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again, particularly during high-level movements at the airbase.
Despite the minor disruption, the President’s visit proceeded without further incident.