Wife hurt after husband set house on fire in Negros town
By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Two persons were wounded after a drunk allegedly set his own house on fire, and hacked their neighbor in Barangay Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Sunday.
Maj. Lowell Garinganao, town police chief, said the suspect, identified as 60-year-old Leodegario Cabalida, locked his 58-year-old wife inside their burning home after they reportedly had misunderstanding over financial matters.
Garinganao said a neighbor, 50-year-old Jay-r Bernardo, reportedly tried to pacify the suspect, but was hacked himself after Cabalida went berserk. Bernardo sustained a wound in the right shoulder.
Cabalida’s wife survived when she was able to destroy the galvanized roof of their house, and squeeze through it, the town police chief said.
But, she suffered second-degree burn on her hands and lower part of her body. She was rushed to Cauayan District Hospital.
Bernardo was also brought to a hospital, and was transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.
Police recovered a bolo from the scene.
Cabalida, who was also hurt during a commotion with Bernardo, was arrested, early the following day.
Garinganao said that the couple’s house was destroyed.
He said Cabalida will be facing charges for arson, serious physical injury, and violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
