BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A woman was beheaded while her niece ended up in the hospital after they were attacked by a man over a money dispute in Purok Himaya Barangay Maquiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Saturday morning, Nov. 26.
Police identified the fatality as 58-year-old Gelly Recodo of Sitio Pisong, Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City. The wounded was Bernalyn Abranilla, also a resident of the said place.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr., Sagay City police chief, said Recodo and Abranilla were walking to the market when they were chanced upon by the suspect, 35-year-old Randy Maniego.
Maniego demanded his fair share of the money amounting to P10,000 for his efforts in taking care of the victims’ carabao for almost 12 years.
However, the victims refused and instead gave him only P3,000; this angered Maniego, police said.
According to Indiape, the suspect drew his bolo and chased the two victims to a sugarcane plantation. Abranilla was hit, but she was able to run away while her aunt lost her footing, and the suspect subsequently was able to catch up and behead her.
Recodo’s remains were left in the sugarcane plantation, while Maniego grabbed the victim’s head and brought it to the cemetery, approximately three kilometers away from the crime scene, police added.
Several terrified residents witnessed Maniego carrying the victim’s head by the hair along the way, prompting them to call the village officials and the police.
The barangay tanods later arrested Maniego and turned him over to the Sagay City police.
In a radio interview, Maniego was not remorseful, pointing out that he was seeking vengeance. He said Recodo was selfish.
Maniego faces murder and frustrated murder charges. He is currently detained at the Sagay City Police Station.
However, Indiape pointed out that it would be up to the prosecutor to decide if Maniego is mentally fit to stand trial./PN
