Man hacks friend to death over joke

CEBU, Philippines – The usual exchange of jokes between two friends turned bloody when one of them got irked and hacked another to death in Barangay Guadalupe, Bogo Sunday night.

Police said Benjie Ursal, 21, resident of the place, sustained multiple hack wounds in his left arm and left armpit that led to his instantaneous death while suspect, Armand Balansag immediately fled to elude arrest.

PO3 Allan Dosdos said before the incident happened, the victim and the suspect, together with their other friends were having a drinking session inside a videoke house.

At the height of their drinking, Ursal allegedly joked at Balansag over something but the latter allegedly got angry that resulted to their heated argument, which was also settled by their companions.

Ursal was asleep inside the videoke house when his friends left him but Balansag later returned with a bladed weapon and suddenly hacked Ursal hitting his right arm.

"Nakadagan si Ursal pero naigo na siya kay nakamaniho pa man siya og sagang," Dosdos said. The police officer said they immediately responded to the area but both the victim and the suspect were nowhere to be found.

About 10 minutes later, a resident reported to the police station that Ursal was found near a bamboo tree with multiple lacerated wounds.

Dr. Flor Arogante of Tabogon Rural Health Center, who examined Ursal's body said the victim died of blood loss due to his multiple wounds, adding that even if he was immediately brought to the hospital he could still not survive.

"Posible gigukod sa suspect si Ursal unya didto na natiwasan sa may kawayanan," Dosdos told The FREEMAN.

Police were not able to recover the bladed weapon used in the crime.

In Barangay Malbago, Daanbantayan, a 29-year-old man was also hacked by his 60-year-old relative on Friday.

Renato Benaro incurred several wounds in his right arm and on his head after he was hacked many times with the use of a 20-inch bolo by Dionicio Ipe.

According to SPO3 Carlos Condino, Benaro had a drinking spree together with his friends earlier that day and when he was under the influence of liquor, he went to the house of Ipe which is five blocks away from their house.

"Lagi kay hubog man (victim), nagpataka na lang siguro og yaw-yaw," Condino said.

At the height of their altercation, Ipe suddenly went inside his house and returned with a bolo and hacked Benaro several times.

Benaro was rushed to Severo Verallo District Hospital while Ipe voluntarily surrendered to the barangay officials. Since they are relatives, police said both parties just decided to amicably settle the case. (FREEMAN)