House set afire in row over goat

CEBU, Philippines - A young man set his neighbor’s house on fire after he was made to pay for the goat he killed for eating his plants in Barangay Mabunaw, Tabuelan last Thursday morning.

Jaime Arellano, 39, lost his home after it was razed by the fire triggered by suspect Jason Argel, 26.

Fire Officer 3 Dario Bravo, fire investigator of Tabuelan Fire Station, said Argel surrendered after starting the fire, even before the victim complained to the police.

Bravo said the fire incident all started from the conflict between Arellano and Argel over the former’s goat.

Around 8 am yesterday, Bravo said that Arellano and Argel had a confrontation before barangay officials after Arellano filed a complaint against him for killing his goat.

Argel reportedly hit the goat with a rock after he spotted the animal eating his plants at the farm.

As settlement, Arellano demanded that Argel pay him P20,000 in damages. They later agreed to a smaller amount of P4,450 provided that Argel will give his two goat babies to Arellano.

After settling the issue, Argel went home to supposedly get the needed payment while Arellano waited.

However, Arellano received a call from his daughter that their house caught fire around 11 am.

Arellano rushed home to save his properties but he was too late as the house had been razed already.

The victim reported the matter at 2 pm and saw the suspect who voluntarily surrendered and admitted the crime.

Police will file charges against the suspect on Monday. He is now detained. — (FREEMAN)