School principal kills brother over land feud

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines - The local police sealed the city’s entry and exit points to prevent the escape of a retired public school principal who killed on Thursday his brother with a .357 magnum revolver.

Suspect Filoteo Alcallo, 65, and his slain sibling, the 67-year-old Francisco, squabbled for control of a six-hectare family farm in Sitio Libertad in Barangay Topland here.

Baltazar Bermil, chair of Barangay Topland, said Alcallo had escaped even before responding community watchmen could reach crime scene.

Bermil said the longtime adversaries Alcallo and his older brother fought for ownership of the land they inherited from their parents.

Bermil said Alcallo, who is still at large, is a retired public school principal who received awards and special citations for his dedication to work and good relations with the local communities.

Witnesses said Alcallo and his brother first figured in an altercation, while at the contested farm, before shots rang out.

Bermil said witnesses saw Arcallo pulled out a gun from his waist, shot his brother twice with a .357 caliber revolver and hurriedly fled toward the city proper.

Barangay folks rushed the victim, who was hit in the chest and head, to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Bermil said barangay officials and members of the Koronadal city police launched an extensive search for Arcallo immediately after the incident.