Carpenter dies after LPG tank attack in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A carpenter died after a fellow carpenter allegedly struck him with a liquefied petroleum gas tank Monday evening, July 27, in Sitio Center, Barangay Bongbongan, Maayon.

The Maayon Municipal Police Station identified the victim as Jose Mordineo, a resident of Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the suspect as Steve Carlos Belinaro, 36, of Barangay 18-A in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Capt. Danilo Lauron, Maayon police chief, said Mordineo was drinking with a companion identified only as alias Toto when Belinaro arrived.

Belinaro asked Mordineo to move to another table because the table they were using was beside his bed and he wanted to sleep, police said.

Mordineo allegedly stood and slapped Belinaro, leading to a heated argument.

Belinaro allegedly grabbed an LPG tank and struck Mordineo in the head and chest.

The suspect told police that the victim had also slapped him several days earlier but that he had ignored the previous incident.

“Natabo na ina. Wala na ta may mahimo… Way ko gahinulsol sir,” the suspect said.

Mordineo was taken to Bailan District Hospital in Pontevedra, where an attending physician declared him dead on arrival.

Belinaro voluntarily surrendered and remained in the custody of the Maayon Municipal Police Station.

Police were preparing a homicide complaint against him.