Ecija farmer dies from snake bite during floods

LICAB, Nueva Ecija — A 34-year-old farmer died from a snake bite in Barangay Sta. Maria here at around 3 p.m. on Sunday, a belated police report said.

Erwin Vicente, municipal social welfare and development officer, said Suterio Villa Jr. was bitten by a snake swimming in floodwaters inside his home. He was the lone fatality so far in the floods triggered by heavy rains.

The flood also reportedly prevented the victim’s family from bringing him to the hospital.

Michelle Anne dela Pena, chief of the municipal disaster risk reduction management, said the flood subsided in the afternoon but rose again on Sunday night. /ee