• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A 40-year-old sugarcane worker was gunned down by his brother-in-law early Sunday morning at Hacienda Maruja, Barangay 9, in the town of Isabela, Negros Occidental.
Initial police investigation revealed that before the crime, the victim, Jason Benigno, was having a drinking session at their father’s house, with his common-law wife and the suspect, who was identified as Eduardo Villalon, 47-years-old, a sugarcane worker who was a brother of his partner.
During the session an altercation occurred between Benigno and Villalon, which led to a commotion where the suspect sustained an injury on his hand caused by a bladed weapon owned by Benigno, who allegedly attacked first.
Villalon went home but later returned, armed with an improvised shotgun. Another altercation transpired, where he allegedly discharged the firearm, hitting the victim on the left portion of his chest.
The family rushed the victim to Ignacio Lacson Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital but he did not survive and was declared dead by the attending physician after a few hours.
Police said that Villalon fled from the crime scene after the incident. The personnel of Isabela PNP are conducting a pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the suspect and filing of criminal charges.
CADIZ STABBING
In Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, an incident between brothers-in-law occurred on the same day at Hacienda Barbara, Barangay Burgos.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim, who was identified by the police only as a 38-year-old unemployed man, was constructing a fence at their residence when the suspect, identified by the alias “Nathan,” 64-years-old, and a brother of the victim’s wife, approached him and an altercation ensued between the two.
As the argument escalated, the suspect drew a bladed weapon and stabbed the victim, hitting him on the left side of his abdomen. The victim survived the attack and is now being treated at a hospital.
After the crime, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to barangay tanods, and is now under the custody of Cadiz PNP for proper legal disposition.*
