Driver hacked dead by stepfather in fence dispute

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 39-year-old driver was killed after he was allegedly hacked by his stepfather following a dispute over a bamboo fence in Purok Palangga, Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Monday.

Police identified the victim as “Edcel.”

Investigation showed that based on the account of the victim’s mother, her son had just come home from work when he noticed a bamboo fence blocking his path to his house.

Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr., chief of the Kabankalan City Police Station, said the victim removed the fence.

However, the 50-year-old suspect, identified as “Delmar,” confronted his wife upon returning home and seeing the fence broken, becoming irked after learning that the victim had taken it down.

While the victim’s mother was preparing food, she saw the suspect holding a bladed weapon with bloodstains and walking toward the Barangay Health Center.

She rushed home and saw her son lying on the ground, prompting her to seek help from a barangay councilor.

The victim was declared dead in a hospital, while the suspect was also taken to a hospital after sustaining injuries during a commotion, police said.

Indiape said investigators are awaiting the decision of the victim’s family regarding the filing of charges.