3 injured in Oslob land dispute

CEBU, Philippines —  Three men were injured when a land ownership dispute in Oslob, Cebu escalated to a violent fight on Friday morning, police reported.

Oslob Police Station said that Celitolindo Binopol, 54, a resident of Tumalog, Oslob, was cutting grasses with his plamingko knife in a parcel of land he allegedly owned in Barangay Cañang.

At the same time, though, Dario Bellingan, 52, was also cleaning on the same land using a cutlass, particularly known in Cebuano as “pinuti.”

While cleaning, the two were allegedly embroiled in an argument as each was claiming ownership over the subject property.

At the height of their argument, Bellingan allegedly became enraged at Binopol, threatening the latter with his cutlass.

Binopol also defended himself using his plamingko. In the course of the fight, he suffered with wound on his forehead.

“Kini si Dario nasuko ni ning Celitolindo ug niresulta sa ilang panagtigbasay,” said Police Corporal Nicolas Quijano Jr. of Oslob Police Station.

The argument between the two eventually subsided. However, Manolito, brother of Celitolino, came to the place of incident, took a stone and allegedly hurled it at Dario.

Manolito also allegedly took the plamingko and stabbed Dario. Dario sustained wounds on his right chest and arm while Manolito suffered wound on his face.

The three were brought to the Oslob District Hospital for immediate medication, after which, they

were brought to the police station for further questioning.

It remains to be seen if any of the parties is determined to file a case against the other. — Dominic I. Dilao, UV Intern, JMD (FREEMAN)