An abaca stripper in Balatohan, San Miguel town was hacked several times last week after reprimanding the father of two suspects for unsavory words directed against the victim’s companion.
In a report, the Catanduanes police said the victim is now in stable condition at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center while the suspects voluntarily surrendered to a responding team from the San Miguel Municipal Police Station which placed them under arrest.
A source identified the victim as one Rogelio Teleb Bernal, 63, and his attackers as John Bernal Tel, 50, and his brother Reymark, 30, both farmers and also from Balatohan.
The report stated that immediately after being informed by a concerned citizen, a team led by officer-in-charge PCpt. Roger S. Castillo proceeded to the area to verify the incident.
Investigation indicated that while Bernal and a certain Garry Tel, also known as “Galunggong,” were talking in front of his yard, the father of the suspects – Armando Tel – passed by and said unprintable words at Garry.
This prompted Bernal to reprimand Armando, with the commotion overheard by the two suspects who were then under the influence of liquor.
The two Tels, armed with bolos, arrived at the scene and then ganged up on Bernal, who suffered hack wounds on the left part of his abdomen, left elbow, and the left side of the neck.
He was immediately brought for medical treatment to the provincial hospital.
Provincial Director PCol. Elmer R. Cereno commended the swift response of the San Miguel police to the incident.
He reminded the public to remain calm and avoid resolving disputes through violence, especially when under the influence of alcohol.
The suspects are currently detained at the San Miguel MPS facility and may face a criminal charge for frustrated homicide.
In another incident, a barangay kagawad of Pandan town sustained multiple stab wounds in a violent incident triggered by an argument with the suspect last March 20, 2026.
The report from the Pandan MPS stated that the victim, Sammy Ogalesco Tapar, 54, was measuring his lot in barangay Wagdas when abaca stripper Jerry Villegas Ternida intervened, resulting in a heated argument.
suddenly arrived and argued with the former.
During the altercation, Ternida used a bolo to stab the victim several times in various parts of his body, including one thrust that penetrated his lung.
The victim suffered eight other stab wounds to the head as well as abrasions on the knees and elbow.
Responding personnel of the Pandan MDRRMO brought Tapar to the Pandan district hospital, which referred the victim to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center for further management.
Police officers who went to the scene managed to apprehend the suspect and recover the bolo he used in the stabbing.