Doctor, ex-soldier die in duel

MANILA, Philippines - A rowdy drinking spree in Taguig City resulted in a bloody duel between a former soldier and 66-year-old doctor before dawn yesterday.

Police said Franco Greko and his son, Francis Jr., were irritated at Rommel Salarda, 35, who was drinking with three friends in his fourth floor unit at the MRB Condominium in Barangay Ususan.

The Grekos reportedly went down from their fifth floor unit at about 2:24 a.m. to talk to Salarda about the noise the former Army man and his friends were creating.

The conversation, however, did not go well and Salarda allegedly stabbed the older Greko. The doctor, on the other hand, fired successive shots that led to the soldier’s death.

Francis Jr. rushed his father to Medical City but the doctor died at noon while undergoing treatment yesterday.

Chief Inspector Benny Basilio Jr., city police investigation chief, said Francis Jr. was arrested and may be charged with murder, pending the results of their investigation.