Tricycle driver hacked dead

Police respond to a hacking incident in Barangay 2, Poblacion, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A tricycle driver was hacked to death in a birthday party at Barangay 2, Poblacion, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

Police identified the victim as Jerry Bayson Sr., 59, of the said village.

Police Lieutenant Jaime Dequillo Jr., deputy chief of police of Hinobaan Municipal Police Station, said Bayson and the suspect identified as Joepet Palma, 38, were drinking liquor when a heated argument ensued between them.

The verbal tussle triggered Palma to threaten the victim.

While Bayson was walking on his way home, the suspect waylaid and allegedly hacked him, as witnessed by the victim’s children, Dequillo said.

Bayson succumbed to hack wounds in the neck, chest, and right shoulder.

Palma was arrested in a pursuit operation and will be charged for murder.

He was released from jail in September this year through plea bargaining on his drug offense, according to Dequillo.