MAKILALA, North Cotabato?The killing of a king cobra by a farmer in this town confirmed reports that the deadly snakes have found their way into the province.

A farmer brought the dead king cobra to town officials, presenting the first piece of evidence confirming rumors about the snakes? presence here.

The farmer, who did not want to be identified, said he saw the snake at his rubber plantation in Barangay Sta. Filomena on Wednesday.

He said he was cutting weeds when the king cobra struck past 2 p.m. He said he fended the attack and killed the snake with a machete.

Mayor Rudy Caoagdan said he believed the snake could be among those that moved here from nearby provinces, including Davao del Sur.

Caoagdan said the king cobras might have left their natural habitat at the height of devastation wrought by the El Niño phenomenon.

King cobras were only previously found in Davao Oriental.

But since the El Niño phenomenon struck, a number have been sighted in nearby Bansalan and Magsaysay towns in Davao del Sur. Williamor Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao