Man who raised howl over ‘videoke’ dead in brawl

BACOLOD CITY—A rice farm owner was killed and decapitated while several others suffered injuries in a brawl around 9 p.m. on Monday over loud “videoke” music in Barangay Alangilan in this city.

The fatality, Alan Trajeros, 44, of Barangay (village) Alangilan had been decapitated and his right leg and arm severed when his remains were found, according to the Bacolod police Station 5 chief, Senior Inspector Richee Gohee.

Among the injured were the suspects—brothers Gary and Ricardo Fermalan, aged 28 and 38, who live in the same barangay as Trajeros.

Gary suffered bullet wounds and Ricardo had hack wounds. Both were taken to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital, the police said.

According to investigators, the Fermalan brothers were at home celebrating Ricardo’s birthday when they heard shouts complaining about the loud volume of their videoke sound system.

The suspects told police that they went out of their house to see who was shouting but before they could do or say anything, Trajeros allegedly fired at them, hitting Gary.

Ricardo told the police that he grabbed Trajeros from behind and bit his ear. They fell to the ground, according to Ricardo.

While Ricardo and Trajeros were grappling, the victim’s unidentified companion hacked Ricardo in the hands and fled, leaving the bolo he used, the police were told.

After he was wounded, Ricardo released Trajeros while Gary took the bolo and hacked Trajeros in the leg, making Trajeros fall to the ground again, the police quoted the suspects as saying.

Gary then hacked Trajeros in the head, right leg and arm before policemen and the village watchmen arrived, according to Gohee.