BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A woman and a laborer died in hacking and shooting incidents Friday and Saturday in Negros Occidental, with the two suspects now in police custody.
Marilou dela Pena, 45, a sari-sari store owner, succumbed to multiple hack wounds after she was attacked by the suspect, identified by the police as Reni March Cariaga, on Saturday in Brgy. Asia, Hinobaan.
The lifeless body of the victim was found by her husband, Tereso, in their residence in Purok 4 of the barangay.
Before the hacking incident, the suspect had a drinking spree in the house of the victim’s neighbor, where he figured in heated arguments with a certain Junie Janoy, the Hinobaan police investigation showed.
The suspect was later arrested by the police, and the bolo he allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized.
Meanwhile, a laborer identified as Jerry Boy Caldo was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after he was shot Friday by the suspect, whom the police named as Jose Marie Hervias, in Purok Kawayan, Brgy. Tagoc, Kabankalan City.
Caldo was on his way to work on a motorcycle when he was waylaid and shot by the suspect at a bridge in the place, the police said.
The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Tabugon Hospital in Kabankalan City, while the suspect surrendered to the police later.
A homemade 12 gauge shotgun, a fired cartridge and six live ammunition were recovered by the Kabankalan police from the residence of Ricardo Jerota in Brgy. Tabugon in the city.
On the same day, a fisherman identified as Joel Caro, 60, was found dead at Cabug Baybay in Brgy. Guinhalaran, Silay City.
Investigation of the Silay City police showed that the victim was reportedly seen on Sept. 8 under the influence of liquor.
The family of Caro denied the request for an autopsy, the police said.*
