A 17-year-old boy was hacked to death by his own brother-in-law over a joke in Barangay Bagong Nayon, Antipolo City, on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The victim was identified as Mark Florence Cepe.
Antipolo Police Investigation and Operation Section chief Capt. Alnor De Vera Tagara said Cepe and the suspect had just arrived home drunk from a Christmas party at their workplace when they engaged in an argument that led to the hacking.
Cepe was still able to narrate to his mother what happened and who hacked him while being rushed to hospital. He later died due to severe injuries on his arm, head, and body.
Meanwhile, the victim's uncle said that the suspect revealed that he and the Cepe were both under the influence of drugs when the incident occurred.
"Nakarating na po sila sa loob ng bahay, nagkaroon pa sila ng asaran. Sabi ng biktima, pabiro 'tagain kita dyan eh'. Dinibdib ng suspek. Nag-advance ang isip ng suspek na unahan na. Pagpasok niya sa bahay ung biktima nagse-cellphone katabi 'yung itak. Inunahan na niya, sinipa niya biktima, initak niya, sinaksak sa dibdib at tinaga. Naputol ang kamay (The victim teased the suspect that he will hack him after arriving home. However, the suspect took it personally and attacked his brother-in-law first. Upon seeing the victim using his cellphone near the machete, he immediately kicked the victim, took the knife, and hacked and stabbed him in his chest. His hand was also chopped off by the suspect)," the victim's uncle explained.
The 24-year-old suspect was surrendered to the authorities by his family.
During the inquest proceedings, the suspect said he did the crime out of self defense as Cepe allegedly hit him with a piece of wood and threatened to stab him.
However, the victim's uncle denied the suspect's claim.
"Pinalabas niya na self defense pero hindi po kasi nasa loob ng bahay ang biktima dun sa kwarto niya at pinasok niya po talaga doon at intention niya na unahan na. Pagdusahan niya 'yung kanyang ginawang krimen kasi buhay po 'yung inutang niya. Pagdusahan na lang niya kung ano ang ipapataw ng ating hukuman korte (He is saying that he did it for self defense but that isn't true. He himself entered the victim's room with the intention to kill him first. He should be liable for his crime. He should just bear the judgement of our court)," he said.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Antipolo City Police and is facing murder charges.