CEBU, Philippines - A man suffered burns in his face after his elder brother allegedly poured hydrochloric acid on him during their settlement hearing at the Lupon Tagapamayapa office in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, last Sunday night.
But it was the elder brother, Pedro Ronato, 62, of Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, who filed a complaint before the Barangay Hall of San Roque in Talisay against his younger brother, Ladislao after the latter failed to pay rent.
“Ang maguwang ug manghud nagkabangi kabahin sa abangan sa balay hinungdan nga nagkaatubang kini sa sa lupon,” according to San Roque barangay councilman Rafael “Boboy” Chan.
Chan said that Pedro constructed a house for rent in San Roque and his brother lived in it. Pedro narrated that Ladislao only paid rent for three months but had stayed there for three years.
“Sulod sa tulo ka tuig naningil si Pedro sa abangan apan wala ma’y mahatag niini si Ladislao,” Chan said, adding this prompted Pedro to file a complaint before the barangay in order to compel Ladislao to pay the rest of the rent.
Lupon hearing officer Terencio Taneo and Lupon Secretary Lorgina Labuga said they were surprised when Pedro suddenly pulled out an energy drink bottle from his pocket and poured its contents on his brother’s face.
“Nagtuo ra man mi nga juice ang sulod sa botelya pero kalit lang gyud gigunitan ni Pedro ang agtang sa iyang manghud ug gibubo ang sulod sa botilya ngadto sa ulo sa biktima,” they said.
Taneo and Lorgina arrested Pedro while Ladislao went to rinse his face with water.
The victim was immediately brought to a private hospital.
Pedro is now facing a criminal assault charge before the city prosecutor’s office.
— (FREEMAN)