Father, son team up to slay neighbor over land conflict in Negros

BACOLOD CITY – A man and his son allegedly joined hands to hack their neighbor to death over a land dispute in Purok Cadena de Amor, Barangay San Isidro, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Police identified the victim as Eric Galope, 37.

Police Lt. Rowell Peniero, Pontevedra deputy chief of police, said Galope and the suspects – Rex Salme, 59, and son Bobby, 34 – came from a hearing in the barangay regarding their land conflict.

When the victim passed by Salme, who was sitting on a carabao cart, Galope said something that insulted the suspect.

Salme attacked the victim with a bolo but he managed to run away. However, Salme’s son, who was sitting on a motorcycle a few meters away from them, was able to corner Galope.

Peniero said that Salme hacked the victim on the different parts of his body.

Galope sustained 10 hack wounds and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, according to Peniero.

Peniero said that Bobby was arrested while his father is still at large. Police recovered the bolo used in the crime.