Argument over rice harvest leads to bolo duel

TWO farmers landed in hospital after a bolo duel that stemmed from a heated argument over the harvest of their palay (rice) in a village in Zamboanga City.

Police Station 4 said the incident took place around 3:20 p.m. Friday in the village of Talabaan.

The police identified the involved men as Geronimo Alvarez, 52, and Jesus Guerrero, 61, both farmers engaged in cultivating palay.

Investigation showed that Alvarez and Guerrero were having a drinking spree along with another farmer when an intense argument ensued between them, concerning the harvest of palay, the police said.

At the height of the argument, Alvarez allegedly pulled his bolo from a wooden scabbard and hacked Guerrero.

Guerrero also pulled his bolo and repeatedly hacked Alvarez as he managed to parry the latter though wounded in the right palm, the police added.

The relatives of the two farmers immediately intervened and rushed them to the hospital when they saw them both wounded, the police said.