Neighbor hacks barangay kagawad in Dalaguete

CEBU, Philippines - A land caretaker and barangay kagawad was brought to the hospital after he was hacked by a neighbor in Barangay Casay, Dalaguete, Monday evening allegedly because of a dispute with the victim’s employer.

Querico Amaquiton, 39, a barangay kagawad of Pañas, Dalaguete as well as a land caretaker and a tricycle driver, sustained three hack wounds on the head, neck, and right arm.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Teo, investigator of the case, said that the victim was driving his tricycle on his way home when the suspect, Jomar Gonzaga, 19, who lives near the border of Barangay Casay close to Amaquiton’s home in Barangay Pañas, sprung at him armed with a bolo 25 inches in length.

Without any apparent reason, Gonzaga allegedly swung his bolo at Amaquiton, hitting the upper parts of his body.

Amaquiton was immediately rushed to Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete and was later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City where he is now recovering.

Teo said that there is a big possibility that Amaquiton was just dragged in the middle of a conflict between the suspect and the owner of the land Amaquiton has been caring for.

“Prior aning insidenti, kay ang suspek ug ang amo sa biktima kay nagkasungi kabahin sa yuta. Nireklamo man gud ni ang amo sa biktima nga gitamnan sa suspek ang iyang yuta nga wala mananghid,” said Teo.

He added that the victim’s employer had filed a formal complaint in the barangay last month regarding their land dispute.

“Mao pa ni ang among gisubay karon nga motibo kay sigun sa among imbestigasyon wa ma’y laing makita nga motibo ang suspek sa pagpanigbas, mao ra to sa yuta,” he said.

Gonzaga was immediately arrested by Police Officer 2 Crispin Amaquiton, the brother of the victim. Recovered from Gonzaga’s possession was the bolo he used against the victim.  (FREEMAN)