Cebu - A farmer who set his brother’s house on fire out of rage for allegedly refusing to kill him ended up languishing in jail after he was indicted for arson.
Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon approved the filing of the case before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City against Melchor Dayondon and recommended P24,000 bail for his temporary liberty.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by his brother Robert Dayondon before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.
Robert alleged that in the midnight of January 6, he was awakened by the accused’s shouting and banging of their window and walls.
Robert said that his brother, who was then under the influence of liquor, asked him to shoot him because he allegedly has a very big problem. The accused reportedly wanted to end his life to escape his problem.
According to Robert, he tried to pacify his brother and requested him to sleep because it was already past midnight. But the accused instead “became wild and started destroying his window.”
Robert said he hurriedly secured his family by taking them outside of the house to the barangay road leaving his brother inside.
After having secured his family, Robert said, he went back to his house and saw the accused breaking their kitchen utensils and ransacking their cabinets and other personal belongings.
Robert said he watched his brother until the latter lighted a matchstick and started setting their blanket aflame. The fire rapidly spread and eventually burned his house, which was made of light materials.
According to Robert, his brother fled but was arrested by the barangay tanods who he had asked for help earlier.
Melchor is now detained at the Cebu City Jail after he failed to post bail. — Fred P. Languido/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)