Family survives hacking by relative

CEBU, Philippines - A family of four, including two minors aged 14 and 17, was injured after they were hacked by a relative shortly after midnight yesterday in Barangay Tutay, Pinamungajan town.

Those who were injured were identified as Jose Montesa, 47; his wife Maria Fe, 37; and their two children, Jomari, 14; and Christian, 17.

Maria Fe and Jomari were rushed to the Pinamungajan District Hospital due to hack wounds in the palm and elbow, respectively.

Jose and Christian were taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment due to hack wounds in their heads.

Police are now looking for Teofilo “Pilo” Cenes who immediately fled right after the incident.

Sr. Insp. Jaime Santillan, Pinamungajan police chief, said that prior to the incident Cenes was apparently under the influence of liquor when he got into an argument over his past grudge with the Montesa family.

Both parties were exchanging heated words then Cenes grabbed a bolo and challenged the Montesas to a fight.

The Montesa couple got irked and went out of the house but before they could react, Cenes suddenly hacked them several times including Jomari and Christian.

Santillan said they are currently coordinating with suspect’s live-in partner, Emily Gemaraga, to convince Cenes to surrender.

Police recovered the bolo used by Cenes at a grassy portion of the place. They are not preparing criminal charges against the assailant.

Meanwhile, a former member of the Philippine Constabulary was believed to have been robbed and killed by an unidentified man early morning Friday in Barangay Pandacan, Pinamungajan.

Retired Master Sgt. Alfonso Pama, 88, who bred fighting cocks for a living, was found dead with a pillow over his face by Mario Gorres, a fighting cock handler, around 8:40 a.m.

Police suspected that Pama was robbed after he was killed because the drawer at the victim’s room was forcibly opened and his wallet was gone. Police also said there was no forced entry and the robber could be someone who was familiar with the victim.

Gorres alleged that he was about to feed the fighting cocks when he noticed that the lights were on in the victim’s room which prompted him to check and find Pama’s body. (FREEMAN)