Woman, son slain in Masbate jail

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A woman and her 15-year-old son were hacked to death Sunday afternoon by an inmate at the provincial jail compound in Barangay Matiporon in Milgaros town, Masbate, police said yesterday.

Superintendent Renato Bataller, Bicol police spokesman, said Tessie Basilica, 50, and son Jayson, both residents of Sitio Matungao in Barangay Tugbo, were inside the premises of the provincial jail when Rey Esparraguera, 33, a resident of Barangay Malibas in Palanas town, hacked them using a 22-inch bolo.

The suspect also critically wounded a fellow inmate, Rommel Buhia.

Police investigators are still trying to determine the motive for the attack. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe