"Ex-con" killed after drinking spree

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged ex-convict died after he was struck on the head with an iron bar by his drinking buddies in Barangay Basak, Badian, shortly before midnight yesterday.

The victim was identified as Balbino Seldura, 63, while the suspects are siblings Bonifacio Jorillo, 26, and Rogelio, 23.

Based on their investigation, SPO1 Geremias Elardo of Badian Police Station said that prior to the incident, Seldura and the Jorillos were drinking coconut wine locally known as “tuba” near the former’s house.

Elardo further narrated that around 11:45 pm, the victim, who was already drunk, asked permission from the suspect to go home ahead.

Seldura walked towards home and upon opening the door, the suspects, who were allegedly following him, struck his head with a hard object.

Seldura’s wife, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, said the suspects used an iron bar in killing her husband.

Elardo said the victim died on the spot due to internal hemorrhage.

He said the siblings, who were also already drunk, fled after the incident but at around 5 am yesterday, both went to the police station and surrendered.

They are now detained and will face murder charges on Monday, the police officer further said.

Elardo said the suspects’ motive was not really determined, but surmised that they did the crime out of drunkenness.

He said that further information revealed that the victim was known in the place for his arrogance especially whenever he gets drunk.

The victim has also been to New Bilibid Prison after being charged for homicide after reportedly killing someone in Barangay Talayong of the same town sometime in the 90’s, investigation further showed.

In a separate incident, a 13-year-old boy was injured after he was believed to have been hit by a stray bullet while walking on his way home from school in Barangay Kamagayan last Thursday afternoon.

Benedict John Hortezano, a 2nd year high school student of Abellana National School, had a grazed wound in his right thigh.

The victim alleged to the police that he was walking with his classmate along Pe-laez corner P. Del Rosario Streets at past 4 pm on his way home to Barangay Hipodromo when he heard a whistling sound.

He then felt pain in his right thigh, prompting him and his classmate to run away.

The boy proceeded home and reported the matter to his mother, Lorna, who then rushed him to the Cebu City Medical Center where he was treated.

Police conducted investigation in the area and learned that nobody heard any burst of gunfire. —(FREEMAN)