Brod of beheading suspect goes amok

CEBU, Philippines — The brother of the man who beheaded his live-in partner in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, last Sunday morning is now under the custody of Consolacion police after he allegedly made trouble in their neighborhood Sunday afternoon.

Superintendent Mina Domingo, chief of the Consolacion police, said that Vergel Pahugot, 28, the brother of Dominic Pahugot who was shot dead by the operatives after he beheaded his live-in partner, was brought to the police station by the barangay tanods.

“Kahapon allegedly, may hawak siyang bolo, pinagtataga ‘yung bahay ng kanilang kapitbahay ayun natakot iyung mga residente,” said Domingo.

Domingo said that Vergel suffered mental health problems. There were also reports that Vergel was also a drug dependent like his brother.

“Noong pagdating naming sa area after sa nangyari nasa sulok lang siya nakaupo. ‘Yun lang ang ginagawa niya. ‘Yun nga parang nawawalan na siya ng bait,” said Domingo.

But since the police did not receive a formal complaint against Vergel, Domingo said that they are now coordinating with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development for the proper custody and action for Vergel.

Vergel is scheduled to have a medical checkup for his mental health, according to Domingo. She added that the local government unit of Consolacion will give financial assistance for his medical needs.

The government also assures that they will give assistance to help in the burial of Dominic and his victim, Lovely Jane Quiño.

Quiño’s head was found by the operatives behind their residence in Barangay Tayud on early morning Sunday.

The neighbors of the couple heard the two having a heated argument early morning Sunday and later just saw Dominic holding up Quiño’s head and throwing it in their backyard.

Domingo said Quiño’s body was also missing three fingers while her feet were fractured.

Domingo also confirmed the couple, who had an on/off relationship, actually had four children, the youngest estimated at five months old. The four children of the couple are now under the custody of the family.

Domingo said that they are now coordinating with the MSWD for possible stressed debriefing of the children specifically the three-year-old daughter who witnessed the incident.

On the other hand, with the plans of the Commission of Human Rights to investigate the death of Dominic after the police shot him dead during a hot pursuit operation, Domingo said that they welcome any possible move by the CHR regarding the incident.

“Right  naman  nila na mag-conduct  ng  imbestigasyon  at kung anuman iyung resulta ng kanilang imbestigasyon ay haharapin natin,” Domingo said.

Dominic was shot thrice by policemen in his feet and chest, according to Domingo. (FREEMAN)