Man slain in bolo-sword duel in Punta Princesa

A 48-year-old man was killed in a duel of bladed weapons that was supposed to settle a deep-seated score between him and another man right inside the latter's house on F. Llamas Street in barangay Punta Princesa Saturday night.

Armed with a bolo and reportedly drunk, Vicente Labajo Jr, allegedly barged into the house of 42-year-old Pableo Ubanan reportedly to end the long-held grudge between them.

But Ubanan, who was already expecting trouble, quickly drew his own weapon, an imitation of a Japanese katana and engaged Labajo to a duel to death.

Moments later, Labajo fell dead with stab and hack wounds in various parts of his body while Ubanan suffered only a hack wound in his right hand.

Members of the Scene Of Crime Operation, led by SPO2 Virgilio Bagasala, retrieved from the scene the bolo of the victim, and the katana that Ubanan used in killing Labajo.

Labajo's body was brought to a funeral home for autopsy while the wounded Ubanan was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center where he has been under police guard, after which charges will be filed against him.

Police investigators found out that the two had a grudge that started two years ago when Labajo outdid Ubanan in getting the job as a watchman of a building just near Ubanan's house.

According to what the police have gathered from witnesses, Ubanan, allegedly out of jealousy, kept on harassing Labajo causing the latter to lose his patience and decide to end the matter in a duel. - Gregg M. Rubio