Kagawad loses hand in hacking episode

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A village councilman from Dingle, Iloilo survived a hacking incident evening of May 14, 2020.

But while Barangay Kagawad Melchor Fresnillo’s life was spared, his right hand was not.

Police Captain Fernando Punzalan, Jr., Dingle police chief, said the 52-year old victim’s right hand got severed after he was repeatedly hacked by a neighbor.

Police immediately responded and arrested the suspect, Hardy Gaboy, 43, of Barangay Libo-o, Dingle.

The incident happened when Fresnillo and Gaboy chanced upon each other by the roadside.

“Because of old grudges, the two had a heated argument,” Punzalan said.

The argument ended when both went home.

But at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Fresnillo stormed to Gaboy’s house and challenged him to a fight.

Gaboy went outside his home but the victim allegedly attempted to stab him.

The suspect, who was armed with a sugarcane bolo or espading, attacked the victim.

Punzalan said Fresnillo may have parried the blow with his right arm.

Both were believed to be drunk when the incident happened.

The victim was brought to West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City while the suspect was detained.