Man, 4 sons kill neighbor who hit family dog

A 56-year-old man allegedly killed his neighbor, who made the mistake of hitting the suspect’s dog when it tried to bite his leg, in Valenzuela City shortly after midnight yesterday.

The suspect, a resident of Interior Sabino Compound, Barangay Maysan, was reportedly so enraged that he ordered four of his sons – the eldest being 17 years old and the youngest, 13 – to stab Marlon Pamplona, 28.

The suspect faces murder charges. His sons, who will escape imprisonment under the provisions of the new Juvenile Act, will be taken under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Reports showed the suspect was seen arguing heatedly with Pamplona over the victim’s alleged maltreatment of his dog. At the height of their quarrel, the suspect drew a lead pipe and chased Pamplona, who ran away. At this point, the suspect ordered his sons to chase the victim.

Pamplona was soon cornered and the suspect hit him repeatedly with the lead pipe. The suspect’s sons joined their father and stabbed Pamplona in different parts of the body. As the victim lay dying, the suspects fled in different directions.

Pamplona was taken to the Valenzuela General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Police Officer 2 Conrado Sy and barangay watchmen arrested three of the suspect’s sons, who were hiding in a nearby ceramics factory. The suspect later surrendered to the police.