By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Four people were killed in separate violent incidents triggered by heated arguments in San Enrique town and Himamaylan City.
Brothers Reynaldo Estoya, 53, and Benjamin Estoya, 50, of Barangay Sibucao, San Enrique were attacked by their neighbor, while father and son Rodrigo Loberos, 52, and Reno Loberos, 26, of Sitio Liki, Barangay Mahalang, Himamaylan City, were ganged up by two brothers, including an in-law.
Reynaldo Estoya succumbed to hack and stab wounds in Valladolid District Hospital, while his brother Benjamin died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the back of the head.
The suspect, 52-year-old trisikad driver Ernesto “Erning” Ordaniel, assailed them in Crossing Ice Plant, Barangay Sibucao, San Enrique at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Municipal policemen arrested him.
In Himamaylan, the Loberos father and son were attacked by brothers Jomar Castillano, 25, and Rex Castillano, 27, in Sitio Cabadiangan, Barangay Mahalang at about 8 p.m. on Friday.
Jomar Castillano is the husband of Rodrigo Loberos’ daughter, Lena.
San Enrique police chief Senior Inspector Romeo Vargas said the suspect Ordaniel on Friday complained to the police that the Estoyas were unruly while having a drinking spree.
Police went to the area where the Estoyas were reportedly drinking, but the family was no longer around. The following day, minor sons of the Estoyas and the Ordaniels had a heated argument over the former’s unruliness.
Reynaldo Estoya helped his son by grabbing Ernesto Ordaniel’s son, prompting the elder Ordaniel to hack and stab Reynaldo.
Benjamin was awaiting a tricycle that could bring his brother to the hospital when Ordaniel shot him with a sulpak, or an improvised firearm.
In Himamaylan, investigator Police Officer 3 Vincent Limaco said Rex Castillano and Reno Loberos had a heated argument while having a drinking binge during the birthday celebration of Jomar and Lena’s child.
A scuffle ensued. Limaco said Jomar held Reno, allowing Rex to stab and hack him several times. Rodrigo Loberos arrived to help his son, but Rex hacked him several times, too.
Jomar sustained stab wounds that Reno allegedly inflicted and went to Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital in Himamaylan, but the police transferred him to a hospital in Bacolod.
Rex escaped. Policemen are now hunting him, Limaco said. He said Rex was accused of murder, but supposed complainants were afraid to file charges./PN
