2 killed, 1 hurt due to stabbing, hacking

TWO militia volunteers were killed while another was wounded on separate violent incidents in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, a police official disclosed Monday.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Zamboanga Peninsula police spokesman, identified the two fatalities as Crispulo Tantalo, 53, and Julius Tantalo, 37 -- both militia volunteers. Wounded was Orlando Alberto, 39, also a militia volunteer.

Huesca said Tantalos, who were cousins, were hacked and stabbed by suspects Herlito Sofia, 24, and his younger brother, Herminio, 22.

The victims and the suspects were having a drinking spree around 5 p.m. Saturday at Purok 2, Guitom village, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, when the suspects suddenly repeatedly stabbed and hacked the Tantalos, he said.

The Tantalo cousins died on the spot while the suspects fled and remain at large, the police said.

Alberto, also a militia volunteer, was allegedly stabbed by Lito Alberto while they were having a drinking spree around 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the village of Upper Tungawan, Tungawan town, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The suspects fled and remain at large while the victim was admitted at the hospital for treatment, Huesca said.