Hacking leaves man’s skull halved

CEBU, Philippines – A 62-year-old man got almost decapitated and his skull halved in the hands of the live-in partner of his niece who reportedly hacked him past 5 p.m. on Thursday in Barangay Sacsac, Dalaguete town.

Renato Alega of Sitio Campakles of the same barangay was already dead when authorities arrived. The alleged hacker, Juvanie Miñoza, 29, a native of Barangay Carmen, Toledo City, was able to escape into the woods.

Senior Police Officer 3 Cleto Pia, chief investigator at the town’s police station, told The FREEMAN that Alega was seen drinking a bottle of rum with friends before the incident. Moments later, Miñoza arrived and sat on a bench not far from Alega’s group.

Not long after, Pia said, the suspect pulled his bolo and, without saying anything, just hacked the victim several times.

The father of Miñoza’s live-in partner tried to stop the suspect but the latter did not reportedly take heed. He was left with no choice but to report the suspect to the police.

When authorities arrived at the crime scene, Alega already seemed dead because of the severe injuries he suffered from Miñoza’s blows.

Pia said the victim was almost decapitated; the left side of his neck sustaining several hack wounds, his right arm almost severed, his skull sliced exposing parts of his brain, and his back sustaining several wounds.

The violence led police to believe that the suspect might have been holding a deep grudge on the victim.

Based on the accounts of the victim’s family, there was reportedly no immediate argument between the two prior to the commission of the crime.

However, Alega’s family told investigators that the victim and the suspect had disagreement two months ago, though the family did not exactly know the reason.

“Wala pa matino kung unsa’y hinungdan sa tigbas gahapon (Thursday). Ingon sa pamilya, naa’y bikil gamay pero wala sad kahibawo ngano. Mga two months ago nahitabo,” Pia said.

Pia added that the two have since been in good terms. In fact, Pia said the suspect would sometimes ask for food from the victim.

“Kay kanang bataa mangayo og pagkaon diha. Iyang asawa anang bataa pag-umangkon sa pag-agawan sa biktima. Giila ra sa biktima nga isip pag-umangkon,” he said.

As of the moment, police are still pursuing the suspect, looking through his possible exit points in the woods where he fled.

Alega’s family will press murder charges against Miñoza next week. — Bryner L. Diaz/JMD (FREEMAN)