CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – Police arrested on Wednesday night a 32-year-old man while a manhunt was launched for the arrest of his younger brother who were tagged for the fatal shooting of their 34-year-old “kuya†(elder brother) following a verbal tussle in a drinking spree in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.
Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the arrested suspect as Eduardo Sagun, of Barangay Calaocan District, Rizal town.
Sagun’s younger brother Norbie, 30, fled and is now being hunted by lawmen.
Nieves said the Sagun brothers were tagged for the killing of their elder brother Mariano.
Chief Inspector Arnel Santiago, Rizal police station commander, said the three brothers were drinking with their cousin Teody Alnas when Mariano excused himself and went home.
Santiago said Mariano, who was drunk, went out of the house brandishing an improvised air gun with a marble bullet and twice fired in the air.
Eduardo then confronted Mariano, resulting in a verbal tussle. Since the two were both drunk, Alnas tried to pacify them but Eduardo grabbed a brandy bottle and struck Mariano who managed to elude the attack and ran away.
SPO4 Renato Matillano who led a police team that rushed to the scene, said Mariano returned, armed with a scythe and hacked Eduardo in the left arm. At this point, Norbie drew his .38-caliber revolver and fired at Mariano thrice, hitting him in different parts of the body, and then escaped.
Mariano was rushed to a clinic but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Eduardo was arrested by policemen and was brought to the Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center here for treatment.
Lawmen recovered the air gun and scythe. A case of parricide has been filed against Eduardo and Norbie.