By CESAR JOLITO III

A 49-year-old carabao broker was killed in a hacking incident at Barangay San Isidro in Negros Occidental’s E.B. Magalona town, prompting police to arrest the suspect hours after the attack on Sunday, February 8.

Police identified the victim as a resident of Sitio Ronel in the village.

The suspect, 47-year-old alias “Joma,” a resident of Sitio Ronel, also a carabao broker, is now in police custody.

Initial investigation revealed that at around 11:00 a.m., the victim was on his way home after transacting to buy a carabao, where he acted as a broker.

Along the way, he encountered the suspect, who allegedly attacked him without any apparent provocation.

The suspect reportedly hacked the victim on the neck, causing fatal injuries that led to the victim’s instantaneous death.

After the attack, the suspect fled the scene but was later arrested by responding police officers.

The victim was brought to the Municipal Health Office but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His remains are currently at St. Katherine Funeral Homes in Barangay II, and are scheduled to undergo a post-mortem examination.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the killing and to prepare the appropriate charges against the suspect./CJ, WDJ