Rivalry over text mate: Man hacks foe dead in Zamboanga del Norte

PAGADIAN CITY – A drunk man hacked to death a neighbor over the weekend in Salug, Zamboanga del Norte allegedly due to jealousy over a text mate.

Case investigator PO2 Dennis Berjame identified the suspect as Hazzer Taradji alias Posing Taradji; and the victim as Nicasio Anastacio Galinio, alias Daksa, 58.

Investigation showed that the intoxicated Taradji came to a house of a certain Mary Jane Ondoc Banong in Ramon Magsaysay Village around 1 a.m. Sunday and looked for Galinio.

Witnesses said Galinio and Taradji were initially having a calm conversation until it turned into a heated argument allegedly over previous grudges. Police learned that the victim had a text mate, who was also of interest to the suspect.

Taradji went home and minutes later came back armed with a bolo. He then forcibly entered Banong’s house and hacked Galinio, who was initially hit in the right arm. The victim tried to escape but was eventually cornered by the suspect who hacked him repeatedly.

Taradji immediately fled the scene aboard his motorcycle.

Police said Galinio sustained hack wounds in different parts of his body and died on the spot.

Salug police launched a hot pursuit operation against the Taradji while appropriate charges were filed against the suspect.                        /kga