Drunk men hack woman to death, three others injured

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A woman died while three others were injured in two separate hacking incidents in Negros Occidental over the weekend.

In Calatrava town, a wife died while her husband was injured after they were hacked by two men at Sitio Carbon, Barangay Hilub-ang, Calatrava town last Saturday.

Killed was Librada Suelto, 78, of Barangay Hinab-ongan. Her husband Lorenzo Suelto, 60, was wounded.

Investigation indicated that the suspects – Reno Biatinggo, 24, and Celfred Duga-Duga, 28, both residents of Barangay Hinab-ongan – were on their way home when they crossed path with Suelto’s wife in a cornfield.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Rollie Pondevilla, town police chief, said the two suspects, who were reportedly drunk and armed with a bladed weapon, allegedly hacked Librada.

Lorenzo, who was following Librada with two sacks of charcoal, was also allegedly attacked by the suspects.

Both victims were taken to Calatrava District Hospital but Librada was declared dead on arrival.

Lorenzo, who suffered hack wounds in his right arm and right leg was transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here.

Later that night, the two suspects were arrested in a pursuit operation at Barangay Hinab-ongan.

Police are eyeing still undetermined grudges behind the incident.

Meanwhile in La Castellana town, two sisters were injured after they were hacked by a drunk man at Sitio Sapwa, Barangay Biak na Bato last Friday.

Police identified the victims as Wilma Dela Torre, 47; and Myrna Dela Torre, 47, both residents of the said village.

Police Captain Rhojn Darell Nigos, town police chief, said the two victims reportedly reprimanded the suspect identified as 21-year-old Warren Calago of Barangay Masulog, that caused a misunderstanding.

“Gin saway nila ang suspect kay daw gasugod ginamo,” Nigos added.

However, the suspect, armed with a cane cutter allegedly hacked the victims, Nigos said.

The suspect was arrested at Barangay Masulog, while the victims are confined at CLMMRH here.