Man hacks 2 over "tong-its"

CEBU, Philippines - A man got upset after losing in an illegal cards game and hacked a neighbor to death while hurting another last Sunday evening in the mountain barangay of Agbanga, Asturias.   

Carlito Malaay, 49, lost his temper when his playmates Ariel Diamada, 23 and Nicholas Garo, 33, asked him to pay for his bet.

Diamada had a severe cut in the neck and his spinal cord was almost cut. His body, with wounds also in the shoulder and arms, was discovered early morning yesterday in a river.

Garo was able to run for cover although he got wounded in the arm.

SPO3 Dennis Nocus, Asturias police investigator said Malaay was playing “tong-its” with Rodel Garo and Napoleon Mag-aso who owned the house where they were playing.

Nicholas and Diamada were merely watching the three and although they were betting for the three cards game before every round of tong-its.

Malaay reportedly lost all his cash to the game that night. He then asked to pay for his losses later but this irked the two victims who demanded for their winnings.

An argument ensued.Napoleon told all of them to go home as he was closing his house.

Malaay went home and a few minutes later Diamada and Nicholas followed, without realizing the suspect’s plan. Upon reaching a dim portion of the road Diamada and Nicholas were waylaid by Malaay who attacked them with a bolo.

Malaay hacked Nicholas first, hitting him in the arms. He then attacked Diamada several times in the different parts of his body. While Diamada was trying to resist the attacks, Nicholas ran to their house.

Nocus added that the suspect even places a cross sign on Diamada’s forehead.

Malaay immediately surrendered to barangay captain Alison Bustillo and turned over his bolo.

Charges for murder and attempted murder were filed yesterday afternoon at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. – (FREEMAN)