ORMOC CITY— A laborer is recovering in a private hospital in Ormoc City after he was hacked by a fellow laborer who allegedly mistook him for another person during a violent incident in Barangay Masarayao, Kananga, Leyte early Saturday, December 21.
Police identified the victim as alias “Jay,” 24, single, a laborer, and a resident of the area. The suspect was identified as alias “RR,” of legal age, also a laborer, with a live-in partner and a resident of the same barangay.
In a report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), Kananga police said they received a report of the hacking incident at around 2:30 p.m. when a certain alias “Jose” went to the local police station to report that the victim had already been brought to Gatchalian Hospital in Ormoc City for medical treatment.
Police immediately proceeded to the hospital to verify the report and conduct an investigation. Initial findings revealed that on the evening of Friday, December 20, the victim and his cousin were drinking in the barangay when the suspect approached another individual, identified as alias “Renz,” resulting in a heated altercation.
Authorities said the victim chose to leave the area to avoid further trouble. However, the suspect allegedly went home and returned minutes later armed with a long-bladed weapon locally known as a sundang.
Mistaking the victim for “Renz,” the suspect reportedly hacked him, inflicting a wound on the left side of the abdomen.
The victim was immediately rushed to Gatchalian Hospital aboard a Bajaj tricycle. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
The suspect fled the scene and remains at large as of this writing. Police said a manhunt operation is underway, and appropriate charges are being prepared against the suspect.
ROBERT DEJON)
