Personnel of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) found a venomous asp hanging from one of the trees near the technical inspection building where Palace visitors undergo a security check and their baggage and personal effects are x-rayed before they are allowed entry.
Armed with mop handles, security personnel whacked the meter-long brown snake and brought it down to earth.
Apparently provoked by the unceremonious eviction notice, the reptile promptly reared its head to strike and defend itself.
The PSG personnel, known for keeping a sharp eye out for would-be troublemakers, cornered the unexpected visitor at the door of the inspection building.
But it still got past the guards, quickly slithering into the building and hiding inside a broken x-ray machine.
Careful not to be caught off-guard and bitten, the guards banged and poked the machine with mop handles to flush out the intruder, which was not seen again.
It is believed to be still holed up inside the x-ray machine.
Every now and then, snakes are found by security personnel or surprised employees in Malacañang’s sprawling lawns and luxuriant foliage.
So far no one has been reported bitten. — Marichu Villanueva