A five-foot-long reticulated python, known locally as “sawa,” was captured from under a sports utility vehicle (SUV) parked along Quezon Avenue in Central Poblacion, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Residents pulled the snake, which was observed to be aggressive, from under the car.

One of the residents who tried to capture the snake was bitten in the hand. He was brought to the hospital and is safe, as of this writing.

The snake was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Zamboanga Peninsula (DENR-9).

DENR-9 said the snake was first spotted by residents from under a truck before it transferred and hid under the SUV.

DENR-9 added that the snake may have been looking for a cooler area.

“Basically, yung mga ahas ay cold -blooded animal yan. Gusto nila ng medyo malamig na lugar so, nag-start na rin po yung init dito sa area natin, posible dahil doon, nag-iibang lugar sila,” Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Officer, Cidur Julsadjiri, said.

The snake reportedly sustained an injury during the incident. It was treated and is placed on rehabilitation at the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center.

"Ang ahas naman ay takot din po yan sa atin. So, iwasan lang po natin silang ma-corner. Kung meron tayong nakita, pabayaan na lang po natin na dadaan kung saan man sila papunta,” Julsadjiri added.