Elderly couple hacked to death; relative arrested

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines–An elderly couple died from hack wounds in a remote barangay (village) of Himamaylan City 5 a.m. Monday.

The fatalities, identified as Francisco Villamor, 76, and his wife, Crispina Villamor, 77, both sustained multiple hack wounds when they were discovered in their house in Barangay Mahalang about 15 kilometers from Himamaylan city proper, Police Officer 3 Maria Rona Entera said.

Francisco, a farmer, died on the spot while Crispina, who also had stab wounds on the neck and body, died at a hospital in Kabankalan City, Entera said.

Police said they were hacked with a cane cutter allegedly by Loreto Moises Rendon, 31, a relative of Crispina. He was raised by the couple, a police investigation showed.

Rendon appeared to be mentally deranged and rugby was found in his bag when responding policemen apprehended him in Barangay Mahalang.

He reportedly had an argument with the couple that triggered the hacking.

Rendon, who was detained at the Himamaylan police station, was incoherent when questioned by the police.