Residents of Sitio Nibaliw, Barangay Bued in Calasiao, Pangasinan could not help but be worried that a huge snake has been responsible for the disappearance of animals in their community, including chickens and dogs. 

Locals have found snake skin at a field near their houses, which indicates that a snake had undergone molting there. The snake skin left measured 16 feet. 

The discovery of the snake skin came after animals in the sitio have gone missing, including chickens and dogs. 

"Sobrang natatakot kami dahil may mga bata kami dito at malapit lang sa bahay namin 'yung nakuha ang dambuhalang lupos ng ahas. 'Yung magandang klase ng aso namin, nawala nito lang January," said Anna Flor Maningding, a resident. 

The residents are worried that the snake may still have lingered in their area. They have sought assistance for its possible capture. 

"Kasi may maliit akong bata, pumupunta pa sa bukid... baka mamaya, hanapin ko anak ko, makain na pala ng ahas. Gusto ko mahanap para hindi kami takot," said Rheabel Maningding, a resident.

The Calasiao Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said it would be best for residents to get in touch with the office directly. 

“Mas maganda sana na makipag-coordinate sila sa amin para ma-inform namin ang team na pupunta sa kanila,” said Kristine Joy Soriano, its spokesperson.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the snake might be a reticulated python based on the length and the kind of skin found. 

Snakes reportedly come out of their habitat when the weather becomes too hot or when their habitat gets disturbed. 

“Isa rin sa cause ng paglabas ng mga ahas ay ang weather at distraction sa kanilang habitat,” said Dr. Joey Zarate, Ecosystem Management Specialist II of DENR-1.