Man hacked to death by co-worker in Baggao, Cagayan

Baggao, Cagayan – A construction worker did not survive after he was repeatedly hacked by his co-worker in Barangay Bagunot, Baggao, Cagayan over the weekend.

The hacking incident transpired around 9:30 p.m. on August 31 while the victim and his friends were having a drinking spree at the house of a certain Mark Peralta. However, it was only reported around midnight on September 1.

At first, the victim and his friends observed that the suspect passed by the area. Some moments later, he returned on board a motorcycle armed with a sharp bolo.

The suspect, as narrated by witnesses, proceeded to where the drinking session was ongoing and uttered the words, “Apay kasta ka, Boyet?,” referring to the victim whose nickname was Boyet.

As soon as the victim named Erleo Garduque got up from his seat, the suspect identified as Jovito Pamittan hacked him in the abdomen.

Garduque saw an opportunity to get even, so he immediately grabbed a bolo placed near him and injured the suspect on his head.

However, Pamittan, aimed at the victim’s chest, and later on his right arm.

The suspect continued hacking the victim, even when the witnesses tried to pacify him.

He later fled the scene but left his motorcycle in the area. Garduque, meantime was brought to the Baggao District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Sometime later, the suspect was caught in a follow-up operation as he was not able to get far due to the injuries he sustained.

As to the motive, police are looking at the possibility of the two having quarrels when the victim was still alive as they were co-workers.