Brothers torture, kill worker

MANILA, Philippines - A construction worker died after he was handcuffed, stabbed and shot several times allegedly by two brothers in Quezon City yesterday.

Doctors said Bernardo Fajardo, 31, a resident of Sitio Mendez, Baesa, died on the operating table at around 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

Fajardo gave a dying declaration to witness Lourdes Inocencio while being treated at the hospital’s emergency room.

He said he was standing by the side of the road in Sitio Pajo, also in Baesa, at around 5 a.m., when Valentin Reyes, 40, and his brother, Steve, 37, approached him then suddenly handcuffed him.

Fajardo said when he resisted, one of the brothers stabbed him. The other brother then shot him repeatedly, then took the handcuffs off before fleeing the crime scene, according to Fajardo.

Police said the suspects’ family has sent feelers for an amicable settlement.