Woman hurt after husband burns house, 1 hacked

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons were injured after a man who was reportedly drunk allegedly set his house on fire and hacked their neighbor at Barangay Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Police withheld the name of the 58-year-old female victim while the other wounded was identified as Jay-r Bernardo, 50.

Police Major Lowell Garinganao, town police chief, said the suspect identified as 60-year-old Leodegario Cabalida went berserk, set his house on fire and locked up his wife at home.

Fortunately, his wife was able to escape the fire by destroying the galvanized roof of their house.

She, however, suffered second-degree burn on her hands and lower part of her body. She was taken into Cauayan District hospital.

Garinganao said that Bernardo responded to pacify Cabalida but the latter, armed with a bolo, attacked him, hitting him on his right shoulder.

Bernardo was also brought to a hospital and was transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.

Police recovered a bolo from the scene.

Garinganao said that the couple’s house was destroyed. Cabalida, who was also hurt during a commotion with Bernardo, was arrested nearby, early the following day.

He said that it was the second time that the suspect hurt his wife.

“They were arguing about money when the suspect asked some from his wife,” the town police chief added.

He said Cabalida will be facing charges for serious physical injury, and violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.