Boy hacked by brother on their mother’s birthday

A MOTHER’S birthday celebration turned bloody when a 17-year-old boy was allegedly hacked dead by his elder brother during an argument inside their house in barangay Ilaya, San Fernando town, southern Cebu, last Wednesday.

Jovanie Malabago, the youngest in the brood of four, died of a slash wound on his neck.

His 23-year-old brother Ramil surrendered to the police after the incident.

Police investigation revealed that a drunk Jovanie, who arrived in their home in sitio Lintungaban around 8 p.m., went berserk when their father Gaudioso refused to give him money.

Police said Jovanie then picked up a stone outside and threw it at his father but missed.

Ramil, who was dressing a chicken for their mother’s birthday dinner at the kitchen, appeared when he heard the commotion and asked his brother to calm down.

Police said Jovanie got irked with Ramil’s intervention and an argument ensued between the brothers.

In the middle of the argument, Ramil drew a scythe and hacked Jovanie on the neck, which killed him.

Jovanie’s body was brought to the town’s St. Anne Funeral Homes for autopsy.

Ramil, who is detained at the San Fernado police precinct, will be charged with parricide./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL, correspondent gabriel bonjoc