By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 73-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly hacked to death a 44-year-old man and tried to bury him at an empty lot in CarmenVille Subdivision in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan yesterday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Branel Casas, a resident of Hyacinth Street, Purok Paghidaet in the said barangay.

Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, Police Station 7 (PS7) commander, said based on their investigation Casas went to the vacant lot where he had a heated argument with the suspect identified as Wilfredo Sadaba.

Sadaba then allegedly struck the victim with a 2×2 hardwood and after which hacked him several times with a cane cutter. The suspect then allegedly tried to bury Casas and when police arrived at the scene a short chase ensued which later resulted in Sadaba’s arrest.

Bonilla said they have reason to believe that the incident stemmed from a love triangle.

Sadaba, meanwhile, said he only acted in self-defense, accusing Casas of assaulting him first for no reason.

The senior is facing criminal charges for the incident and he is presently detained at the PS7./DGB, WDJ