Tanod shot dead; lender mauled to death

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay tanod was stabbed dead by a bettor within the perimeter of the cockfighting arena over an alleged unfair decision during a cockfight at around 6:10 in the evening last Sunday in Barangay Lawaan, Alcantara.

Cayo Temblor, 54, married, of Barangay Poblacion, sustained multiple lacerations and stab wounds in different parts of his body which caused his immediate death.

Those who were in the arena rushed him to the Badian District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Vincel Landeza, 35, married and a resident of the said place voluntarily surrendered to his neighbor, PO3 Dionisio Tagopa, a policeman assigned in Dumanjug.

Landeza was then turned over to the Alcantara police and is now detained at the Alcantara stockade pending the filing of an appropriate case in court.

Police recovered the 14-inch hatchet locally known as “plamingko” believed to be used by Landeza in stabbing Temblor.

SPO3 Brendo Joel Beriarmente, deputy chief, said Temblor was the referee of a cockfight in which Landeza placed a bet on one of the fighting cocks owned by his relative.

Beriarmente said that after the fight, Temblor declared a draw which irked Landeza.

“Gitabla ang decision pero wa pa namo makuha nganong gitabla kay daghan man nang circumstances, (He decided to call a draw but we do not know why yet because there are many circumstances),” the Deputy Chief said.

 Landeza took the hatchet and stabbed Temblor several times hitting him fatally in the chest and abdomen.

Temblor’s remains now lie at the St. Peter Funeral Homes in Barangay Tunga, Moalboal and is scheduled for autopsy.

Meanwhile, a money lender was mauled to death by bystanders after he fired a shot using a .357 revolver while collecting payment from his borrower Sunday evening in Sitio Germilina, Barangay Poblacion, Barili.

Nicomedes Orcullo, of legal age and a resident of the said place, was found lying unconscious at about 8:30 in the evening, suffering from several contusions and bruises in different parts of his body.

It was PO2 John Robert Sacan, of the Moalboal Police Station, who first discovered the body. Sacan saw Orcullo sprawled on the ground while he was heading home from the market.

Nobody was arrested.

Initial police investigation revealed that Orcullo was seen asking payment from a certain Pablito Guzman, 47, who owed Orcullo P1,000.

PO3 Acelino Ricaplaza, of the Barili Police Station, said Guzman promised Orcullo that he will pay next month. This started their heated argument.

Orcullo, armed with a 357 Revolver, suddenly fired a shot once due to anger. This alarmed the residents who called for police assistance.

Some bystanders reportedly approached Orcullo and mauled him until he fell to the ground. The said bystanders fled on foot.

Police recovered one empty shell and Orcullo’s revolver loaded with five bullets.

—(FREEMAN)