Man hacks uncle to death

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 25-year-old man allegedly killed his uncle in a bolo attack late evening of Aug 28, 2022 in Tubungan, Iloilo.

Police identified the suspect as Joemar Ellama, a resident of Barangay Igpaho, Tubungan.

Master Sergeant Jasper Ryan Bastonero, Tubungan police investigator said Ellama and the victim, 49-year-old Ronald Paneza, have no personal grudges.

They were relatives since Ellama’s mother and Paneza are cousins.

Both were drunk when the incident happened.

Prior to the incident, the suspect and some family members were drinking tubà (coconut wine) inside their house when Paneza and his companion, Reymart Canatoy, joined them.

The drunken episode led to discussions that later heated up.

“Naga-pataas-taas man lang sila istorya asta nagka-pikunan na,” Bastonero said.

At the height of their argument, Ellama took a bolo and repeatedly hacked Paneza.

Bastonero said Paneza suffered multiple hack injuries on the different parts do his body, with his head wound being the fatal one.

The victim was believed to have died instantly.

Ellama fled after the incident but voluntarily turned himself in to police authorities around 6 a.m. on August 29.

Bastonero said Ellama is now detained and will be charged for murder today, August 31.